Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-06-11
CRISIS AVERTED.
Premier BaIfour Addresses the
House of Commons.
His Address a Gem of Diplomacy
and Eloquence.
AS a Result Tariff Issue Is Tenn
porariy SheIved.

London, June 10.-By deXterous
ana extraordinary speech, Premier Bal
four, tonight, temporarily smoothed
over the differences in the cabinet, re-
lieved Colonial Secretary Chamberlain
OF any necessity of resignation ana Tor
the moment averted d crisis which
threatened the Unionist party. This,
Mr.. Ralfour accomplished without
committing the government either to
protection or free trade, though the
effect of his speech will generally be
taken to mean that the tariff issue is
TO be ShelVed for the present Henry
Chaplin'S amendment, which gave rise
to the most interesting debate of the
present Parliament, was defeated by
the overwhelming majority of 1896
votes, composed of Unionists, Liberals
and Irish members The minority who
supported Mr. Chaplin's amendment,
was composed almost wholly of fol-
lowers of the government, while many
others of the Conservative party alb
stained from voting.
1t was 1870 o'clock, tonight, when
Premier Balfour sprang to his feet to
reply to the taunts Of the opposition
ana appeals from his own party.
For two days the House of Com
mons has rung with the echoes of dis
cussiOns within the cabinet and dis
satisfaction without. The premier was
loudly checrcd. He had scarcely COM
menced to deal with Mr.. Chaplin's
amendment before he was interrupted
by hurricane of applause and ironical
cheers at the entrance of Mr.. Cham
bcrlain. who had been absent hitherto
throughout the evening. The colonial
secretary dropped into his accustomed
place The House was now packed
with peers, members of the House and
spectators, as it has not been since the
days of Home Rule, and they waited
and listened in tense expectation.
In a whimsical vein Mr.. Balfour eX-
planned that the only reason that the
corn tax was put on was because the
government wanted money, and the
only reason it was taken off was be-
cause the government wanted money
no longer.
Reverting to the charges of vacil-
lation made against him, the premier
took on a tone of unusual vehemence.
He declared that he himself, though
a believer in free trade (Which state
ment met with loud applause), did not
regard it as fetish, and he had abso-
lutely an open mind regarding the ne
cessity for any alteration in a system
which was founded to suit conditions
of so years ago. He refused not only
to make a statement of any finality
upon such an important question, but
he also refused to compel his colleag CUES
to conform to "a standard of opinion
upon which he himself had an open
mind. He admitted that differences of
opinion existed within the cabinet, but
these were not serious enough to cause
the resignation of any member.
Mr.. Balfour made an impassioned
plea. enforced by the precedents of
friction in Mr.. Gladstones ministries,
for allowing the premier to retain an
open mind upon a question so difficult
and so superior to all party issues The
speaker did not believe that the coun-
try would ever return to the old pro
tectiVe system and no tax on food was
ever imposed without the full assent of
the working classes. They were con-
fronted, however continued the pre-
micr. by three great phenOmenaS: High
tariff walls against the United King
dom: the growth of the trusts, and the
desire of the colonies for closer fiscal
union with the mother country These
factors could not be ignored. He MAIN
tanned that the method of starting a
public discussion was the only way to
deal with them, though he did not COM
init himself to Mr.. Chamberlain's more
advanced program. 1t would be folly
and rashnesS he said, to interfere with
the great system which had been in
operation for so many years without
the most careful examination and
without due regard for history and the
traditions of the past, while at the
same time they could not ignore those
new problems which the ever changing
face of industrial life presented for
decision and the action of statesmen.
This non-committal speech and APP
peal brought a constant salvo of cheers.
Throughout, Mr. Chamberlain sat be-
hind the leader of the House bcaming
with satisfaction.
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerma the
Liberal leader, briefly replied, appeal
ing for an opportunity for the House
to more fully discuss the issue raised
This appeal elected no response on
the part of the government. The mem
bcrs of the House troopcd into the
lobby to vote against Henry Chapin's
amendment, the general comment be-
ing "Balfour has saved Chamberlain"
The colonial secretary himself jubi-
liant, said: 'Our friend, the enemy, is
nonplussed, this time"