New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-19
BALF00R SAVED BY IS.
HOT DEBATE IN COMMONS.
Chamberlain Twice Forced to Sit
Dozen IN Fiscal Dispute.

London. May 1S-By majority of So Premier
Balfour tonight successfully defeated at
tempt to upset the governmtnt on the fiscal
question. An interesting debate characterized
by heated exchanges. took place. resulting in
the Premers reiterated determination to shelve
the question of fiscal reform until the next Par
lament. In this decision Joseph Chamberlain
publicly concurred.
The motion on which the question came up
was made by Alexander William Black mem
Der for Banffshire. Scotland. and an Advanced
Liberal 1t welcomed the ministerial declara-
tions that protective taxation of food would
be burdensome to the people and injurious to
the empire" The motion was intended to CEN
sure Mr.. Chamberlain, and the latter's amend
ment to 1t would have split the Unonist party
and possibly would have resulted in the defeat
of the government.
Mr.. Balfours amendment left a middle
course open 10 the members of the Unionist
party and. although this amendment was not
put, the House accomplished the defeat of Mr.
Blacks indirect censure on the ground that 1t
was not necessary to discuss the fiscal
question.
The Premier stuck to his policy, as outlined In
his recent Sheffield speech.
Twenty-one Unionst free traders voted
against the government, and more than double
that number would have done so but for Mr.
Balfours skilful intervention between Mr.
Chamberlain and his opponents
The net result of the debate which crowded
the House Of Commons TO a greater extent than
1t has been this session is that all parties stand
as they were Sir Michael Hicks Beach and his
immediate following practically saved the day
by refusing to vote with Winston Churchill
Lord George Hamilton Lord Hugh Cecil and
other more ardent Unionist free traders, against
Mr.. Balfour.
In the course of the debate Lord Hugh Cecil
In scathng satire. denounced the policy of his
cousin, the Premier. Mr.. Chamberlain inter-
rupted him. and then storm of interruptions
and cries OF Order arose from the Radical
and Liberal benches. Twice Mr.. Chamberlain
sat down and twice the Speaker appealed to the
members TO give the former Colonial Secretary
a hearing.
At last there was comparative quiet, and then
Lord Hugh Cecil with much heat and amid
great uproar, accused Mr.. Chamberlain of
cowardice in lodging the issue by refusing TO
meet his opponents in the House on the cam
paign which he had preached throughout the
country.
Sir Michael Hicks Beach threw bombshell
into the Free Food camp by announcing that he
would not support Mr.. Blacks motion. Then
Mr.. Chamberlain reiterated that he did not wish
TO raise the fiscal question in the House. He
said he supported the government and would
continue to do so. He hoped that the Premier
would take his own time TO carry out his policy.
Mr.. Balfour said his Sheffield speech still rep
resented the advice he would give to the country
II asked tomorrow TO frame an election adj
dress With a touch OF passion the Premier,
amid loud ministerial cheers. repudiated Lord
Hugh Cecirs charge Of cowardiCe against Mr..
Chamberlain. saying that Lord Hugh was the
man TO be accused Of lack OF courage"
Henry Herbert Asquith summed up for the
Opposition and what was something OF a storm
in n teacup ended with vote Of 231 10 SOC on
Mr.. Blacks motion.
Before Mr.. Balfour's amendment could come
up the hour Of midnight caused an adjourn
ment.
Tomorrow afternoon the House will adjourn
until May 81 for the Whitsuntide holidays.