New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-13
BALFOUR RULE NEAR END,
SPLIT IN THE CABINET.
Several Members Threaten to Resign
Forecasts.

Forecasts.
London March 1.-THE continued existence Of
the government after the last eventful week IN
Parliament creates surprise among its most
faithful supporters. Premier Balfour kept the
Cabinet IN power by majority OF forty-sx, gained
at the expense of what is universally admitted TO
be a personal defeat for the Premier. For the
first time since the fiscal question became live
issue IN British politics, Joseph Chamberain's fol-
lowers showed their strength ard intentions No
less than 10 members OF the House OF Commons
put themselves on record this week as willing 10
turn out Mr.. Balfour rather than sacrifice their
adherence to Mr.. Chamberlain's out and out pro-
tectionst principles. AS a result. Mr.. Balfour has
foregone his personal policy Of retaliation. and
retains Office only by the support of those Mem
bers OF Parliament who openly uphold preferential
and protective duties. This section OF the Unionist
party. though strong enough TO decide the fate Of
the ministry, is not strong enough TO effect any
thing individual unit
The complications within the Unionist party
came TO almost Gllbertian climax. Even The
Saturday Review" which supports Mr.. Balfour's
policy, holds that he lost more than he gained by
his comparatively narrow majority. On all sides
II Is admitted that a dissolution Of Parliament
alone solve the existing complex and muddled
condition OF the parties in the House of Commons
The Cabinet itself so recently reconstructed. has
been the verge OF a serious split In the course
OF tho week Austen Chamberlain. the Chancellor
OF the Exchequer; the Colonial Secretary, Alfred
Lyttelton, and several minor members Of the gov
eminent threatened to resign unless Mr. Balfour
withdrew his support OF the motion which de-
nounced Joseph Chamberlains proposed preferen-
ta duties. based the taxation OF food. Beset
without and within. Mr. Balfour gave in to the
Chamberianies and still further antagonized those
Free Trade Unionists. the Duke or Devonshire.
Lord Baltour OF Burleigh. Charles T. Ritchie, Lord
George Hamilton and Sir John Gorst. formerly his
colleagues and their supporters.
PERSONAL ATTACK on PREMIER
In addition to these tactical difficulties in which
the fiscal question has involved what known
the strongest government OF modern times"
Mr.. Balfour had been subjected TO a personal at
tack which heightened public interest In the pro
ceedings at Westminster. Lord Lansdowne and Mr..
Brodrick bitterly resent the implied and even ex-
pressed criticism OF their administration OF the
War Office. contained in the recommendations
Of Mr.. Balfours army reorganization committee.
A cartoon in Liberal afternoon newspaper rather
aptly satirizes the conditions within the Cabinet.
representing Lord Lansdowne and Mr.. Brodrick as
firing reyolyers across the Cabinet table a. the
War Secretary. H. 0. Arnold-Forster. while Mr..
Balfour hides under the table.
MI Balfour's explanation Of his conduct toward
the Duke Of Devonshire. Lord George Hamilton and
Mr.. Richie IN connection with their designations
from the Cabinet, and his alleged suppression o;
Mr.. Chamberlain's withdrawal from the govern
ment held by such careful organ as The
Spectator TO be entirely unsatisfactory This cpl
soIe introduced an element Of personal bitterness
quite unusual IN British politics, and TO no little
extent aTected the wonderful personal influence
which NJ. Baifour wieId5 IN the House Of Com
mons. regardless OF party ties.
Lord Rosebery's passionate attack from the Sc
date House Of Lords Thursday has not yet
ceased 20 cause a sensation which can scarcely be
realized except by those who know how hard and
fast are the conventions with which the Upper
House Is hedged. Lord Rosebery spoke with heat
which entirely banshed any idea that he simu-
lated Indignation. As matter OF fact. Lord Rose
berry only voiced the bitterness against Mr. Bal
four which prevails among tho families ot those
members OF the Cabinet who resigned. though their
relatives FOR centuries had supported the Tory
leaders. Mr.. Balfour's reply 10 Lord Rosebery IS
'expsctantly awaited.
MIR CHURCHILDs OPPOSITION.
winston Spencer Churchill. Conservative. with a
tenacty often attributed to his American descent.
increasingly harries Alr Balfour. In letter 20 his
constituents oldham. published to-day. Mt.
Churchill rutrilessy calls attention TO the incon-
slstency OF his own party leader Mr.. Churchill
says tho amendment introduced by Mr. Wharton
Conservative on wednesday, conforming Joseph
Chamberlains policy. but supporting Mr. Baltour s
retaliation proCramIle was drawn up by desire OF
the Premier. Yet with the connivance, II not at
the instgnatlon OF the Chancellor u the Elk
cheqUer' tAusten Chamberlain, the p-otes tior ist
members OF the same party; numbering 10 dictated
a. utinatgm % Mt BaliouT SAYING that Ar'
"aaIloh g b mus - III " + NJ
Churchill. Mr.. Balfour surrendered The govern
70 support a free trade declaration. opposed IN
word and spirit 70 protection and preference based
on the taxation OF food. AT Sis o. resolved 20 do
rothng OF the kind and at midnight appealed %
its followers 10 meet with direct negative pro-
possI condemn the policy OF preferential or pro
tective tariffs When Mr.. EalfOur had the power
10 combat protection he had not the will. Now
that he has the WILL he has longer the power 20
I,xperts in British elections express diamctri
opposed forecasts regarding the probable result OF
the appeal 10 the country. which Is now somewhat
Impatiently awaited by tho public They all agree.
however. that neither Mr.. Chamberlain Mr..
lalfour on their respective panks Of protection
and retaliation IS likely 10 be returned TO power.
Whether the Liberals a coalition OF the Liberals
with the uuionist free traders could a suf-
fcient majority 10 remain in power without the
gupport OF the Irish party Is regarded extremely
6ot1btfuI. hest balanced opinion e that when
Mr. Ralfour either ends the tenure or the present
eoyerrment or II = ended for him there VIII be n
series OF seesaw political evolUtons. with the Irish
Iarty holding the scales.