The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-31
CHAMBERLAIN NOW The MAN.
TAKES FIRST PLACE IN BRITISH
POLITICAL AFFAIRS.
His TarifY issue Likely TO Bring AbOnt
Reorganization OF Partics-Course OF
Events by which the Colonial Secre-
tary Might Become Prime Minister.

Special Cubic Dsspateh to THE sun.
LONDON, May 80 1t Is, on the whole. an
unwelcome issue which Mr.. Chamberlain
has forced upon the British people. The
well-nigh universal opinion prevails that
the country is already overtaxed, and for
this reason general discomfort exists over
his preferential tariff proposition.
Few, however, ascribn the evils Of the
situation to the time-honored British policy
of free trade. On the contrary. they find
ample explanation for the country's mis-
fortunes in tho mistakes Of an incompetent
Government during the past four years
1t will require, therefore, an extensive
process OF discussion and education TO
convince the masses that the system Of
protection or preferential tarih put for
ward by Mr.. Chamberlain will supply the
necessary fiscal relief.
The inertia Of British conservatism in
the non-political sense of the word is al
most incalculable Mr., Chamberlain prop
osition, on the other hand, involves one Of
the most radical changes that could be pre-
sented to the body polite. His scheme Is
vastly weakened also from the point of
view Of practical politics by being coupled
with his old-age pension idea This il far too
socialistic theory to find ready acceptance
1t is an entirely safe estimate OF British
public opinion. therefore, to say that II a
general election were held in the immediate
future upon the issue outlined in Mr.. Cham
berlain's latest speech, that bold leader
would suffer an overwhelming defeat. The
Colonial Secretary is far too good poll
ucian to fail to realize this. The conclu-
"a, oao,,,o ipoyit kla tpdar fhaaa circt,
stances. that the Government has no thought
of going TO the country at present.
Still some Of the newspapers Of both par
ties and some Of the Liberal leaders AZ
surne that there will be a general election
before long. 1t is argued. partly on ac-
count of the unnecessarily large number
OF contentious measures that had been
introduced in Parliament by the Govern
ment, that the Balfour Cabinet is riding
for fall. 1t is not at all impossible that
the Government might welcome an adverse
vote on some unimportant measure with
which Mr. Chamberlain has not been per-
sonally identified Prime Minister Bal
four, In such a case would tender the resig-
nation Of the Cabinet and would take ad-
vantage Of the opportunity to retire, as he
is personally DESTROYS OF doing.
1t does not follow in that situation that
the King need concern himself with any
of the extinct volcanoes which are the only
remaining landmarks Of the Liberal party.
He would be quite justified in asking Mr.
Chamberlain to form a Ministry. and IL the
latter could secure a vote OF confidence In
the House Of Commons there would be no
necessity for an immediate appeal to the
oo,,p,rv Tho nav pyirna Minister Could
then devote himself for two years to the
propaganda OF his gospel Of protective
tariff and 1t would be foohardy TO pro-
phesy what the countrys verdict would
be at the end Of that time.
The process would involve an entire
reorganization Of political parties. This,
indeed, Is inevitable. No matter what
course events may take, Mr.. Chamberlain
from to-day becomes the greatest political
leader in Great Britain. 1t is not clear who
will be his chief opponent, but possibly it
will be the first man to take up his protec-
tive tariff challenge, Sir Edward Grey