Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-11-24
BALFOUR MAY RESIGN TODAY
Rumor that the Premier Has Decided tC
Bring Ministry to Close,
PLANS AN APPEAL TO THE COUNTRY
Relief that at End Of Cabinet session
To-day All ResignHtions WIN
He Submitted 60 the
kinE.
kinR.

LONDON. Nov % Tremendous activity
developed in political circles today conse-
quent on the circulation Of well founded
report that Premier Balfour had decided
to bring his ministry to close and to
directly or indirectly appeal to the country.
Rumors regarding the resignation OF the
cabinet and the dissolution Of Parliament
have been thick for three months past, but
when two OF the leading government organs
today, almost in the same terms "sug-
gested" the immediate resignation OF the
premier on account OF the unmendable
breach In the unionist party over the fiscal
question, the suggestion" was looked upon
as having been nstigated by Mr.. Balfour
knowledge that prior to the publication Of
himself. This was strengthened by the
! the editorials Mr. Bafour met certain in
fluential persons at his official residence in
Downing street. These two facts, when
coupled, led to the belief that the premier
had intimated at the conference his inten-
ton to resign, and as he had just returned
from a visit to King Edward at Windsor
castle It was believed that his majesty had
been informed of Mr. Balfour's intention.
Beyond this there is not the slightest OFF,
cial confirmation Of the report.
ResiEnatIons Expected Today.
All political interest now centers in the
cabinet meeting to be held tomorrow at
which 1t IL understood the situation will
be discussed. Some we'll informed persons
go so far as to say that Mr.. Balfour will
go from the meeting TO King Edward with
the designations Of himself and the other
| members OF the cabinet. Conservative and
unionist papers are in favor Of the resigna-
D
! liberals on the defensive in case Sir Henry
| Campbell Zimmerman consents to form a
cabinet. but the radicals say that the resig-
nation will only mean dissolution. Sir
/ Henry, IL requested to form a ministry,
would certainly decline to do so until the
| verdict of the people became known. The
! liberal papers point out that while Mr..
| Balfour may attempt this tactical move
! they are confident It will fail on every
| side and that therefore the dissolution of
| Parliament is believed to be imminent"
| There is no thought. however, that a
| political campaign will be forced prior to
/ the beginning of the year. with the cleo
tiOns somewhere about the end of January.
! UniOnists Prod Premier.
| The Associated Press understands that
forces have been at work inside the party
for some time TO bring about the present
| situation. One prominent unionist recently
wrote to the premier asking whether it
would be considered dsloyal IL he intro
| duced early in the next session a resolution
| bringing the whole fiscal question squarely
before the house. He told the premier that
the unionists are tired OF being twitted
concerning their attitude on the fiscal ques-
ton on the last term, when they repeatedly
declined to take part in debates or divi-
| siODg I'm Difference m ha yViS Of Mr.
| Balfour
The premier's reply was not given out
but the Associated Press understands in
any event the unionists intend to push such
| resolution, which they believed would
! mean the defeat of the government.
I The political situa ton so radi-
calIy altered during the last week that even
the government supporters no longer argue
that Mr.. Balfour has a sufficiently united
party at his back to again meet Parliament
with the object of initiating any legislation
to the public advantage.
The premier's appeal to the unionists at
New Castle a week ago TO unite on his
fiscal policy has not met with much sue
cess. On the contrary, Joseph Chamberlain.
the most powerful member OF the union
coalition. directly Joined issue with his
chief by a speech at Bristol Tuesday call
ing on unionism to rally to the support OF
his own more drastic fiscal proposals, which
include a 5O-cent tax on grain.
Party Division Marked.
The Cleavage of the party was thus more
markedly accentuated and many union
| lists politicians hold that good purpose
could be served by n longer retention of
Office and that the weakness OF the party
will only be further accentuated by per-
petuation Of the existing rivalries between
the two sections.
A cabinet meeting has been called for to-
morrow. This will be only the second held
this fall and the fact that there have been
! so few conferences between the ministers
is taken another indication OF the imin-
ence of a change OF government.
, ! On the stock exchange a definite an
nouncement of the resignation of the cabl-
, net is expected at any time and the whole
market today was fiat in consequence.
The liberals are inclined TO resent Mr..
Balfours resignation at the present NOM
| ent They contend that the premier should
remain in Office few weeks longer and
himself dissolve Parliament and appeal tC
the country. The liberals no reason
, why the present opposition should put them
selves to the inconvenience OF forming a
; government in the dark without knowing
what forces they will command in the new
Parliament and they object to what they
designate as Mr., Balfour's tactical man
ouver," whereby the liberal attack would
be turned to a defense before election, and
; Mr. Balfour would be given free hand