Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-02
THE FISCAL QUESTION
English Tariff Changes POST
poned for the Present.
CHAMBERLAIN'S IDEA
TO CONTINUE EDUCATIONAL CAM
PAIGN UNTIL SURE OF MAJORITY
Expects Some in Present Cabinet to
Support His Plan-Effect Of
Our Presidential Election.
CHAMBERLAIN'S IDEA


Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
LONDON, May Il. 1904
The final round on the fiscal question for
the present. at least, has been fought out
In parliament. and all matters of changes
in the tariff policies thus postponed for
another year. 1t is Mr.. Chamberlain who
really originated ard Is carrying out this
program, and the success with which his
plans have prevailed up to the present
time certainly give promise that they will
be carried out TO the end. In the light of
recent events and Mr.. Chamberlains public
utterances. his program for the future Is
not at all indistinct. He intends to carry
on his campaign of tariff education until
satisfied that the majority Of the people
are with him. and then throw his own
weight and that of his friends into the sit
uation and carry election solely upon
the protection and empire issues
1t is believed that by the tine Mr.. Cham
berlain Is ready to put his policy to a test
vote his forces will be openly recruited by
the present prime minister. Mr.. Balfour.
and majority of the members OF the pres
ent cabinet. AS the Chamberlain forces
now stand they are lacking in good speak
ers and heavy weights TO attract public at
tentiOn. The ablest men who can be
counted upon to advocate his cause are con-
cerned In the present government and
pledged to its support, even to the extent
of evading all new issues and keeping mum
for the present upon the proposed abandon
ment of free trade Mr.. Chamberlain has
declared himself In favor of the dissolu-
ton of the present cabinet and an appeal
to the people at any early date. not so
much because he believes he will then be
triumphant but that period OF defeat
rtGf tn lodi tn ,hr1-. 1A,,t
of its present woes.
Mr.. Ba1four Criticised.
Mr.. Baifour is severely criticised by some
of his warmest supporters for not coming
out fiat-footed some time ago in favor Of
the Chamberlain tariff policy. 1t is I'M
derstood that he will come out for this
policy before long. and many of his own
party believe he has gained nothing by de-
lay. To estimate public opinion in England
is almost impossible task. even when
attempted by the most expert and expert
enced politicians of the country There
are no thorough party organizations reach
ing individual voters, in the United
States; party lines are not strictly
drawn, and the voter himself is tenacious
of his individual rights and loath to i'm
part information in advance as to his prob
able actions. Every possible attempt has
been made TO determine the present state
of the public mind with regard to Mr..
Chamberlan's proposals. but without much
success. Those who favor them strongly
are willing enough to talk. but those who
are opposed, yet in doubt are nom
committal. Many other public questions
are prominently before the smaller COM
munities which affect the daily life and
long established habits of the individuals
In such way as to make them OF more
apparent vital interest than anything af-
fecting the empire.
The etlUca ton Is of thaSa and
while il would be useless To attempt an
explanation of its intricacies- war to the
knife Is now on between the various re-
igfous denominations to secure control of
religious instruction in the schools. IT Is
proposed to amend the law so as to make
religious instruction a question of local OPP
ton and to give the children such instruc-
ton outside of the regular school hours.
The Church of England, which is largely
in control of the matter. opposes such a
plan, with few of the most prominent
churchmen in notable exception and il is
apparently doubtful whether there will be
any legislation in this direction a this ses-
sion of parliament. The education question
occupies a much larger place I'm the minds
of the people than any proposed tariff
changes and with a stubbornness charac-
teristic of the English people. resistance
to the present law has gone so far in many
instances as to allow property to be sold
for taxes rather than pay such tribute for
the support of schools in which the re-
ligious teaching was contrary to the belief
or those VINO were taxed TO support IL. This
question would cut very large figure in
any general election which might be held
IN England now or in the immediate future
and should the present government be de-
feated at such election its downfall
could be justly attributed TO that rather
than to Mr.. Chamberiains policy
The sanguine Mr.. Chamberlain and his
friends believe that even should their own
party be defeated at a general election the
liberals. or opposition, would last but a
short time In power. Possession is nine
tenths of the law. however. and IL Is not so
easy to dislodge those entrenched in gov
eminent office as it is to keep others from
getting in. Some of the more cautious
ChamberIainites realize this political truth
and show some fear at putting the matter
to a practical test until they are syIref- of
their ground. They would prefer to win
at the next election rather than to accept
defeat as a foregone conclusion and cheer
fully await second opportunity to drive
their opponents from power. The greater
or less certainty with which an American
candidate can estimate his strength at the
polls is matter of wonder and envy to
British politician. for up to the moment
the returns are counted there is little or
nothing to show how the battle has gone.
Conservative Feeling.
It Is this feeling of conservatism ana
doubt among Mr.. Chamberiain's strongest
supporters which holds him ir check at the
present time His own enthusiasm and
confidence would lead him on to quick ac-
ton but for this. More interest Is being
shown in the American political situation
by English people than ever before, be-
cause of the constant use of the United
States as an example of the benefits Of
protection Should the democrats win 1t
would undoubtedly iujure the Chamber
lain movement here. Should the republic
cans win, upon a platform indorsing the
Dingley act with its reciprocity clause and
suggesting possible modification of the
tariff, it would help the Chamberlain move
ment in England by force of example. 1t
would be asserted here that the threat of
English retaliation had caused a decrease
In the high protection sentiment In the
United States and was preparing the way
for reciprocity between the two countries
and whether this was true or not II would
have some weight In influencing public
rIo IL