Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-11-26
PLAN FOR AN EMPIRE
Continued from First Page)

meet there in complete equality and with
full reservation of their own rights. Moth
ing but their external obligations as part
ners in the empire would come under con-
sideraton.
In many quarters of the empire signs are
seen of a growth of interest in the pro-
posed council. For instance, the tour of
Sir Frederick Pollock and his party
through Canada has done much to set the
case for the creation of an imperial council
before the Canadians.
Liberal Eagles Gather.
Whenever conservative government
shows signs of approaching dissolution
there is a gathering of liberal eagles. Sir
Alfred Thomas this year was the first on
behalf OF Wales but there is no less fiery
zeal shown by the advocates OF labor in
terests, reform in education, temperance,
land legislation and home rule for Ireland.
All the centrifugal influences inside the
party are hard at work endeavoring to
cure preference for their own particular
universal remedies The most eminent and
the most characteristic example of injudi-
cious sincerity of purpose, and the only one
as yet of cabinet rank, is Mr.. John Nor
ley. And the very qualities which proba-
bly, diminish his weight In the determine
ton of his country's destiny make him at
tractive TO the foreign observer. He is
habitually referred to as a man of theory.
There is nothing, however, which more an
noys him or provokes more frequent denials
in his speeches. His aims are definite and
concrete and no one follows them more
steadily nor with greater energy. But he
does not seem to possess the knack of
bringing them forward with judgment in
q way to secure for them the maximum of
support.
Many there are who believe that Mr..
Chamberain's domination is on the wane
in Birmingham. One reason for this con-
clusion is found in the fact that in West
Birmingham Mr.. Chamberlain's liberal OPP
ponent has held a long succession Of not
only large but uninterrupted meetings. The
day is evidently passed in Birmingham
when it was regarded as an impudent in
trusion for any one differing from the local
idol to express an opinion there. The
liberal candidate, on the other hand, has
had numerous letters from workingmen
describing themselves as ex-Chamberlain-
ties, thanking him for coming forward and
promising to vote for him. The claim is
made that the results OF the war have
served to disgust the people of Birming-
ham. Mr.. Chamberlain recommended 1t as
a commercial undertaking and an economic
proposition and they accepted II on that
ground. That Mr. Chamberlain can be
beaten in the general election is believed
to be beyond the grounds Of possibility
But his satellites in the surrounding seats
for instance Mr.. Jesse Collins are by no
means secure.
Chamberlain Sti1 Popular.
Meanwhile. if Mr.. Chamberlain appears to
be losing ground locally, he certainly con-
tinues to maintain that marvellous hold
uPo= the British general public which
has been his for many years. His recent
speech. dealing with the general election
has been received with expressions of ap-
prevail in al parts Of the British empire
Speaking directly to the proposition Of the
general election he observed that the people
OF the United Kingdom had been In the
throes of it for some time, but It appears
always 10 be recedng. He said that he
made no secret of the fact that IL had
been his own opinion for some time past
that every month of delay had operated
20 the disadvantage OF the Unionist party.
But he scornfully denounced as a weak in
vention of the enemy the insinuation that
he had tried to force the hand OF the gov
eminent He said that he could not do so
n he would and he added with especial
emphasis that he would not do so II he
could. Mr., Chamberlain's idea Is that even
II the tactics OF the general do not wholly
approve themselves to his subordinates
they can achieve nothing but disaster by
trying TO set up a different set Of tactics
He confessed that he was jointly respon-
sible for the self-denying ordinance which
in conjunction with extraneous but highly
important considerations have largely de-
| termined Mr.. Balfour's policy He was
party TO the decision that the government
| should take no steps during the present
! parliament to give practical effect 10 its
views about fiscal reform. That self-denial
was not initiated by the opposition which
put party advantage before the consider
alton by the country Of an issue vital 20
its welfare and employed itself In forcing
divisions upon what was not before Par
| lament at all The chief registrar OF
friendly societies. Mr.. J. Duncan Stuart