Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-05-30

AN INVIDI0US DISTINCTION.
Says Colonial Secretary Played ON IA
Rig Trumpet and Premier Same
Tune as a small Flute.

London, May GO.-sir Edward Grey is
the first Of the Liberal leaders to take
up Colonial Secretary Chamberlain
challenge regarding imperial preferen-
tlal tariffs. Addressing the oxford
University Liberal league last night,
Sir Edward denounced Mr., Chamber
lain's proposals on the ground that
they meant protection Mr.. Chamber
lain. he said, played on the big trum-
pet, while Premier Balfour playeI- the
same tune on the small flute, but 1t
must not be expected that there would
be any separation Of policy between
the two Therefore the Liberals must
fight the proposals with the utmost
vlgor He contendcd that the margin
that Great Britain could gain by prefer
entail trade with her colonies was COM
paratiyely small, and not worth the risk
Of dislocating the three-fourths of her
trade with the rest Of the world.
Thus far the discussion on the Ques-
ton reveals no extreme enthusiasm on
the part Of tho Inlonists for Mr. Cham
berlain's sche 20. although the ventla-
ton of the subject is eagerly wecom-
ed The Unionist Spectator points out
the coincidence that while Mr.. Cham
berlaln Is Offering old age pensions as
the compensation 20 the Workingmau
for the loss he may sustain through the
preferential tariff the vast pension list
of the United States was largely Gre
ated In order 90 get an excuse Tor a
high protective tafin, In the Specta-
tors opinion " the colonial secretary IS
foolish enough 20 force his proposals
10 an issue he VIII shatter his party
as completely as Gladstone did the
Liberal party with home rule. That
such rupture OF the Conservative par
~ win occur is admitted among the
best Informed members of the party,
At least four cabinet ministers are
said to be strongly 0pp0s 10 the
scheme while Winston Churchill and
Lord Hugh Cecil who are credited with
the intention OF organizing an opposl-
ton to Mr. ChamberDin's claim 90 be
able 10 get 20 members Of Conserva-
tlves OF the house OF commons IN their
following At Brooks club. the head
quarters Of the Liberal UniOnist party
1, was stated that Mr. Chamberlain was
determined TO stand or fall by his
scheme. and that II he failed to obtain
the country's support for IL he would
retire from public lie.
The Conservative politicians and
newspapers. IN many cases view the
proposals with much doubt The stand
ard In its leading article coniessas that
90 forego any considerable part OF the
British trade with foreign countries
would be too precious a drawback 20
face for greater access 20 the colonial
markets and the other Conservative or
gans express grave doubts whether the
colonies win ever be able 90 supply 8N
OF Great Brihins foodstuhs require
ments. Il Is also pointed out that the
case OF the United States does not Of
fer a fair comparison because the Unit
ed States enjoys internal free trade
while It IS impossible ever 10 hope for
free trade between Great Britain and
her colonies. There IS no doubt that
Mr. Chamberlain has achieved one aim
IN secu sng public forgettulness Of The
governments muddliug over the educ
cation bill the army reform and other
local mates but he has also opened
such food-gates OF discussion that all
parties will be- anxious 10 appeal 20 the
country az the erliest possible moment
IN order to arrive at a definite Issue.