Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-20
A GREAT OVATION
For Former Sec. Chamberlain
at London Speech.
Speaks as Strongly as He Dares in
Line Of Protection.
Liverpool az Same Time Listens to Eis
Opponents.

LONDON, Jan. 19.-The Guiidhail WI,
packed to suifoCatiOn. this afternoon. +,
hear joseph Chamberlain speak. MIR
Chamberlain, who was accompanied
oy MS Wife, received Il great ovation
: The former secretary of the coIonie.
began by declaring that the provincial
ccAterS OF commerce of the United
Kingdom had been heard from in re.
gard to his tariff proposals, but the
views OF the citizens of London were
not Yet known. He desired to asccr-
tain how the city men felt on the sub
Joct OF his scheme before the opening
OF Parliament, but he regretted that
owing to his non-political charactetr
The meeting would not have the opDor-
tunity of voting directly for or agains;
him. Mr. Chamberlain said he believed
thc same arguments he used in the
provinces would appeal equally to inn
perialistic London, and then pro-
cceded to rciterate his fiscal views.
flr. Chamberlain pointed out that
While London was now the clearing
house OF the world, he doubted if that
position could be maintained if the
ancient fiscal superstition was to be up-
held. Before it was too late Il lesson
should be learned from the fate Of Ven
ice. Holland and the Translate states
whose greatness had vanished because
they had no productive and creative
energy behind them. London would
no longer be the worlds clearing
house If Great Britain's present reIa
tons With her colonies and the great
ncItral countries of the world were
disturbed by dimunition in the mmic-
ipaiity OF the extent of transactions
which hitherto had been creating new
wealth. His opponents claimed that
tho recent Board of Trade returns de-
stroyed his contentious, but he intend
ed to base his future arguments on
these returns, as they proved that the
growth Of foreign expectation to the
ed the growth of expectations from the
ll"thefland. Tho position of Great
Britain was deteriorating and though
he anticipated no immediate catastro-
Pie, the situation called loudly To-.
some remedy. The lessons of the past
must be applied and the framework of
, new empire must be built up under
new conditions by adopting the pro-
tectivc policy adopted by every other
civilized nation and creating new bonds
Mr.. Chamberlain pointed out tbt the
struggle for life and existence i'll the
future would be between mighty en-
i1iras. The minor states would come
Gil badly. Continuing, he said:
"ProfltinS by the experience gained
when the finest jewel the British en-
ere ever nOssesssed-the United
St;ltas-left us for a separate existence.
Il rev empire has arisen. greater than
@nE in the world, but the great work
of Keeping and making permanent this
heritage remains to be solved. In the
great revolution which separated the
United States from Great Britain the
greatest man that the revolution pro-
du"Nd. in my Judgment, was Alexander
Hamilton. He was soldier and a
statesman. He left precious legacy
to his countrymen when he said to
them: Learn to think continentalIy.'
Il venture now to give you Il similar
message Learn to think imnerially
and remember that the future Of this
country lies in the future Of the Brit
ISL race in our colonies and possess
siOns."
Although no vote of confidence was
permitted. the extraordinary enthu-
siasm of tho members of the Stock
lIXchange who escorted MIR. Chamber
lain's carriage to the Guldhal, the
cheers which purctured his speech and
the vocifero1s applause ut the close Of
his remarks must have assured the
former colonial secretary that he had
the full sympathy OF his audience.