New-York tribune., 1905-12-05
nR BAIFOUR,g RESIGNATION.

HR, BALFOUR'g RESIGNATION
The resignation of Mr.. Balfour and his col
leagues of the British Ministry, long expected
and often vainly predicted, has come at last 1t
will be variously commented upon, with fr1enu-
! " explanations and with hostile criticisms. To
the judicious and dispassionate observer It VIII
be regarded as sn appropriate step for Mr. BAL
| four to take in existing circumstances, ana
! those circumstances will appear to have pro-
| ceeded from two chief causes, both Of which
were lucidly set forth long ago, as general prin-
ciples by two of the shrewdest political philos-
ophers of the last generation. Dlsraeh, In
| "Conipgsby' discussing the Generalization OF
| party government which followed the great Re-
| form Act, discriminatory observed: The con-
| sequence of destroying the legitimate Oppo-
"sition of the country was, that a moiety OF
! "the supporters of the Government had to
discharge the duties of Opposition e.
"No Government can long be secure with
"out formidable Opposition" There is no
question of the truth of that observation, as ap-
| plied to the British Government of two genera
tions ago. 1t is equally applicable at the pres
| emf time The failure of the Opposition in the
last five wears to fulfil its normal functions has
been as marked 1t was at the time of which
| Disraeli wrote, though it has been due to differ
emf causes The general election of 1900 gave
the Government clear majority of 134 over all,
I
since the latter must be considered as having
consisted of only the 1S5 Liberal members with
out their Nationalist and Socialist allies. An
Opposition of 1S5 against Government OF 402
was certainly not formidable" and it left the
Government in precisely the plight described by
Disraeli.
The second cause of existing circumstances
was that suggested by Bagehot when he Wrote'
ITO keep a legislature efficient it must have
nj h1rcir
Where great questions end, little parties be-
"gin" Now there were some great questions
before Parliament during Mr.. Balfours admins
tration. and some of them were dealt with IN
a great and worthy manner-those, for example
relating to the colonial and the foreign lnter-
ests Of the empire and to Ireland. Inc euu-
cation question, too, was substantial business
though there are differences of opinion, even IN
Mr. Balfours own party, as TO the policy anu
wisdom of the Governments settlement OF IT,
But for the last year more Parliament mas
been in the inauspicious attitude Of having just
before it, for contemplation but not for action,
several questions of the highest Importance
which for one reason another, the Govern
ment has not taken in hand Tor settlement.
Thus the supreme problem of t2rlH reform mas
exercised the popular and also the Parliamen-
tarv mind more than any other for nearly q
score of years; yet it has been Withheld from
the House. to await the action of some future
Parliament. The question of redistribution Of
seats is peculiarly urgent, in view of the gross
Inequalities of representation which now exist;
vet the Government, presumably on the taclt
nlea of mon possumus," has been constrained TO
Law it aside Great questions certainly have not
all been disposed Of, but they have not been SUD
mitted to Parliament, to keep it suitably en-
moved. and so the efficiency of that body has
declined and with it the authority of the Cabl-
net has suffered a commensurate loss
1t is too soon to sum up Mr.. Balfours career
as servant of the State or even to pass Judg-
ment upon his administration as Prime Minister;
and II would be still more premature to attempt
to estimate the efficiency of the Ministry that
is TO follow his There will, however be general
and ungrudging agreement in testfylng that
in intellectual resourcefulness, in dlalectc SKILL
in dignity Of manner. in courtesy ana gener-
ositv to political adversaries and in integrity
and unselfish loyalty to his sovereign ana TO the
welfare of the kingdom and the empire. ne mas
handsomely maintained the best traditions OF
his exalted and historic office. Americans will
also cherish the special recollection OF his un-
varying friendship for this country and his So
licitude for the preservation of those cordial
and affectionate relations which have existed be
tween the two countries for a number OF years.
''The future is in the lap Of the gods, ana WhaC
NAV be called forth from that fateful receptacle
by the incoming Ministry or by the suttrages
of the British electorate it would be rash to
prophesy. We may confidently expect, how
ever that at some time and in some hitting
manner Mr. Balfour will again be an important
factor in British public life.
The King has in accordance with CUSTOM and
doubtless in accordance also with Mr. Balfours
recommendation, summoned Sir Henry camp
hell Rannerman to an interview, and it is as
sumed that that statesman will be lntrusted
with the task Of forming a Ministry. In case
he accepts the commission, it will remain TO be
seen whether he will attempt to carry on such
a minority Government on sufferance for suf-
ncient time at least to vote next years Supply,
or will at the earliest possible date dissolve Par
lament and seek majority at the polls; While
of course all intelligent forecast Of the probable
policy of the new Ministry must await an
nouncement of the composition and arrange
ment of the Cabinet. OF this we may be as
sured that there is 40 lack of character and
ability in the ranks of the Liberal party FOR
the formation of Government worthy OF the
name and competent for its duties.