New-York tribune., 1905-04-10

a., the political clubs that it is hard to realize
.har there are any other figures on the stage;
-, IN reality Mr.. Chamberlain. in the present
-.o.e Of his political fortunes. is as striking
,,s-sonaee as Slr. Gladstone was in his closing
,sttle FOR Home Rule; and Mr.. Balfour, who has
s,ov-n wonderful deKterity in holding Ministers
md factions together, is still playing the game
With unexampied skill and patience. VIII they
A-ssk away from each other after their long
ra-tnership? That is the question which on
I,okers are asking; and the forecasts are az
,,-ious as the motives OF the commentators.
v1-lst cannot be denied is the fact that loyalty
. enc Prime Minister involves sacrifice OF prin-
,-les 50 far as the Tariff RefoTmers are con-
,.ned Their cause is steadily losing ground:
!. ,fu hardly he practicable for Mr. Chamber
lain 10 attempt another autumn campaign; tar
IL literature has ceased 10 he read, and the
-,cvereut has reached its highest point both
!, the Commons and in the local associations
,,s Is likely TO recede II the general elections
-. deferred until next year They know their
orn minds and where they stand. and they are
1earv 0f tactics of evasion and compromise
- which fainthearts and neutrals are kept in
,beir ulaces in the Commons and Free Traders
N -be government side are protected against
,bs political consequences Of their opinions.
they are convinced that they have much 10 lose
u0lI-llE u gam ~ AtAN Nel-AAAiAoAA~O "a -~
--.sen- truce between factions. when there is
: retreat all along the line whether detail Of
NJ chamberlsins policy is discussed. as in the
AinsV.orth resolution week ago. or whether
vo,e Of cersure IS moved against the Prime Min
,s,er's etaliation proposal. as was done last
yivtt They are eager for a dissolution of Par
,,s,,ert and while they have no expectation OF
,,r-vinC the next elections they are confident
INST the Unionist minority IL the next House
NIL know their minds and be united on the
.,-ir question. without doubt the Tariff Re
formers are sound in their conclusion that their
--,snects would be improved if they were in
,,,osfrion. with the Free Trade malcontenUs
Knocked ont and with Mr Balfour unable 10
-ssist the uI Of the majority Of the party.
Consequently they are Indifferent 10 the fate Of
he government and viii welcome its downfall
II II can be brought about without their COM
plcity.
On -be ether hand. Mr. Balfour is in the way
Of sacrificing The great stake for which he has
been playing cautiously and brilliantly during
the last two years. This is the unity OF the
ns-rv. Tariff Reform. when It was proposed by
NJ Chamberlain. was not a popular cause,
snrine5ng. like Cobdenism half a century ago.
srorn the masses in the electorate It was
rol,cr appealing 20 the patriotism OF imperial
trrs the enlightened self-interest OF the mer-
camille and middle classes. and the practical
e1psrienos Of income tax payers. The success
OF p movement so revolutionary IN its objects
6epended entirely upon the conversion Of the
T-niontst Marty 20 the new views, and Mr.. Bal
four has been employed month after month IN
eHectfnC temporary compromises and conciliat-
tnr waverers who required time and persuasive
treatment before they could arrive al settled
convictions respecting q higher revenue tariff
and references for colonial trade. While
pesred reorganizations Of the Ministry have
been necessary he has succeeded in keeping the
party together IN line for a future campaign,
and probably no other statesman in recent pol
itics could have accomplished this marvel OF
dexteri1y. Yet while the party is still undi-
vided. = is evident that enthusiasm and fighting
Split have passed out of Il. The strategy
which involves indefinite delay IN bringing
issue of the first importance before the elector-
are and which raises q signal for retreat when
ever the Opposition challenges debate on any
detail OF the fiscal question does not promote
harmony il the party The lines Of cleavage on
The Unionist side are steadily widening; the
spirit of faction Is becoming Aercer and more
uunalageable, ana the attack upon the Green
Wich and Kings Lynn seats and the revolt OF
the Cecils against the Prime Minister and Mr..
Chamberlain are signs o. disunion and dem0T-
alzation. A stand-up fight for definite policies
and principles. even II defeat were courted.
would be more invigoratng than the present
Unsetrling conditions and II would consolidate
dishear1ened and distracted party. INF