Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-10
APPEALED TO PEOPLE
Balfour's Stirring Address to
Manchester Public.
OPENED THE CAMPAIGN
DECLARED GOVERNMENT RE-
SIGNED FOR ExPEDIENCY.
Defended Action of the Unionists in
Retention Of office-Poked Fun
at Liberals.
OPENED THE CAMPAIGN

MANCHESTER, December 9.-Arthur j.
Balfour, now the leader of the opposition
party in the united kingdom, opened the
campaign in stirring speech before his
Manchester constituents today. With the
utmost frankness the former premier ex-
planned that the resignation of his govern
ment was on the ground of expediency,
Showing that the step had been carefully
considered for some time and that 1t was
evidently contemplated by Mr.. Balfour dur
ing the greater part of the year.
Mr.. Balfour defended the action of the
unfonist government in its retention of Of
fee on the ground that it was essential TO
wait until the Anglo-Japanese treaty was
finally concluded and other necessary fea-
lures of the government program were car
ried out. This had been done with the ex-
ception of the redistribution bill, an outline
of which had been given to parliament but
divisions within the unionist party led the
government to the conclusion that it would
be impossible at present to carry a measure
which demande absolute unity.
Without going at any length into the
probable platform of the liberals, the for
mer premier poked fun at the liberal pro-
test against being forced to accept office
and ridiculed the efficacy of party COM
posed of SO many factions. He laid the
lash of bitter sarcasm on what he declared
to be their attempts to avoid making home
rule the leading issue, and said whether
they were ashamed of it or not, home rulers
they were and home rulers they would re-
main. Mr.. Balfour plainly indicated that
the uniontst attack would be conferred on
the home rule record of the liberals, while
the unionists would use their own record on
home, foreign and colonial policies as their
bulwark of defense.
Challenged the Liberals.
He challenged the liberals on the issue
Of Chinese labor In South Africa Here the
former premier became severely denuncia-
tory. He said the liberals had won bye
elections by INSCRIPTIONS disregard of the
truth. Let us forget, if we can," he
said. the program by which they en-
deaVored to blacken our political life, pro-
Vlded that now, when they are in a re-
sponsible position they do not kindle a
feeling among our colonies which, believe
me, If once kindled, will not be easily ex-
tinguished.
Mr.. Balfour made strong plea for unity
during the elections. He hoped that the
new administration when it handed back
the reins to the unionists would be able to
point TO record equally creditable to the
country. He predicted the failure of the
liberals to carry out their program which
he understood was the upsetting of many
things accomplished by the un.onists, but
he hoped they would stick to their reso-
luton to follow the lines of foreign policy
of the unionist government
The meeting concluded with the passing
OF vote of confidence in Mr.. Balfour,
whereupon the former premier, responding,
said he had much to say concerning the
un!onist and liberal programs, but that he
would reserve it for more fitting occa-
sion. He declared he intended to lead the
opposition through the campaign. The
party elected me its leader and / propose
to carry out the great mission intrusted
to my hands, he said. II am perfectly
confident that from all sections of the
party, be the minor differences what they
may, l shall receive that support which 1
have never wanted for in the past"
Mr. Balfour made no reference to Joseph
Chamberlain or his fiscal policy.