Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-11-28
BALFOUR TO
SOON RETIRE
ACTIVITY DEVEl.
OPS IN POLITICAL CIRCLES
IN BRITISH CAPITAL.

London, Nov. 27.-Tremendous ac-
tivity developed in political circles to-
day consequent on the circulation of
a well-founded report that Premier
Balfour had decided to bring his min.
lstry to close, and to directly or In.
directly appeal to the country. Ru-
mors regarding the resignation of the
cabinet and the dissolution of parlia.
ment have been thick for three months
past, but when two of the leading
government organs today, almost in
the same terms, Suggested" the i'm
mediate resignation of the premier on
account of the unamenable breach in
the unionist party over the fiscal ques-
ton, the suggestion" was looked up-
Oh as having been instigated by Mr..
Palfour himself. This was strengthen
ed by the knowledge that prior to the
publication of the editorials Mr.. Bal.
four met certain influential persons
at his official residence in Downing
street.
These two facts, when coupled, led
to the belief that the premier had in.
tlmated at the conference his inten-
ton to resign, and as he had just re-
turned from visit to King Edward
at Windsor castle, it was believed
that his majesty had been informed
OF Mr.. BalfOur's intention. Beyond
this, however, there is not the slight
est official confirmation of the report,
Plenty Of Gossip.
All present interest now centers in
the cabinet meeting to be held tomor-
row, at which it is said the situation
will be discussed. Some we'll inform
ed persons go so far as to say that
Mr.. Balfour will go from the meet.
ing to King Edward with the resigna-
ton of himself and other members
of the cabinet.
Conservative and unionists papers
are in favor of the resignation of the
cabinet, which will place the liber.
ais on the defensive in case Sir Henry
ampbell-Bannerman consents to form
Il cabinet. but the radicals say that
the resignation will only mean disso-
luton, as Sir Henry, if requested to
form a ministry, would certainly de-
cline to do so unL44 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 there
fore the dissolution of parliament is
believed to be imminent. There is no
thought, however, that a political cam.
paign will be forced prior to the be-
ginning of the year, with the elections
somewhere about the end of January.
The Associated Press understands
that forces have been at work inside
the party for some time to bring about
the present situaetion. One prominent
unionist recently wrote to the premier
asking whether it would be considered
disloyal if he introduced early in the
next session a resolution bringing the
whole fiscal question squarely before
the house. He told the premier that
the unionists got tired of being tvit-
ted concerning their attitude on the
fiscal question in the last term of par
lament, when they repeatedly declin-
ed to take part in debates or divis-
ions in Difference to the wishes of Mr..
Balfour.
The premier's reply was not given
out. but the Associated Press under
stands that in any event the unionists
intended to push such resolution,
which they believed would mean the
defeat of the government