Omaha daily bee., 1906-02-13
AboMm,a'''r''y1's'''. $.
1.-THE QUEEN OF TABLE WAIERS'
Bottled only the Apollnaris Spring. Neuenahr'
Germany, and Only with its Own Natural Cas-
BEWARE OF SUBSTITUTI0NS
BALFOUR ON TARIFF REFORM
Former Premier Speaks at Banquet for
Conservatives in London.
REPLIES TO JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN
He says His Policy 4. Designed to
Onset Effects of Hostile
Tariffs of other
katious.
PLIES TO JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN

LONDON, Feb. i2-Former Premier Bal
four was the principal speaker at a ban
quet given tonight by the conservatives
OF the city of London to Sir Edward Clarke
and Aiban Gibbs. There were 800 present
including a number of the most prominent
men of the city. Mr.. Gibbs and Sir Edward
Clarke responded briefly TO the toast our
Guests"
Mr.. Balfour whose speech had been an
ticlpated with intense interest as his re-
ply TO Joseph Chamberlan's pronouncla-
mento, spoke at great length, coniining
himself mainly to fiscal questions Mir
BaItour maintained that the results of the
general election could not be accepted as
nnal verdict against fiscal reform. lie
declined to argue the question of protec-
uon against free trade, but maintained that
the policy he has hitherto advocated is
altogether apart from the controversy. Mi.
Balfour said his policy was designed, so
Tar as might be possible. to diminish the
burden on British Industries. due to hostile
tariffs other industrial countries have inn
posed In countries where hostile tariffs
did not exist, ii was the intention to pre-
serve neutral markets and at the same
time preserve the interests of the British
colonies on an equal footing. 1t was. he
said, policy intended TO maintain an in
creased foreign market for British manu-
features. Protection was an attempt to
keep the home market against equal COM
petition from foreign countries.
Question of Markets.
Mr.. Balfour said the sentiment favoring
his policy was not decreasing, but increas-
ing and unless it is carried out, he be-
lieved the world became more and more
nd CfYfa zaI
brought more and more the weaker ma
tons under control, the question of mar
kets for Great Britain would assume pro-
portions which could not he ignored. The
world saw great nations using not only
diplomatic but their whole military and
naval force in order to push their com
merce. To tight for British markets might
again be inevitable, but fighting is bar
barous method. where negotiation might
succeed and negotiation could never sue
coed unless il was backed by some power
of dealing with the country with whom
we might be negotiating If the latter asked
extravagapt or impossible terms.
Mr.. Balfour said he viewed the industrial
conditions in the United Kingdom with the
greatest alarm. He said positively nations
which built up industries behind tariff walls
were acting foolishly, but nevertheless they
did IT and the result undoubtedly was in
furious to the United Kingdom
Mr.. Balfour asked: Was it possible to
carry out retaliation unless a general tariff
formed a part of the scheme? He declined
to commit himself on that point, but he
said what the country had to make up its
mind to was the question:: Is the end at
which we are aiming worth making a sac
rifice for?
Tariff Reform Delayed.
The cause of tariff reform. Mr.. Balfour
said must be delayed some years, but in
the meanwhile it was the duty of the op-
position to the present government to point
out the mistakes of the latter and direct
the country along the best lines looking TO
the future of the country. Continuing. Mr..
Balfour said that never had a government
been returned with larger majority with
out a cause which 1t wanted to carry out
and without any great personality to guide
IT, but he was ready to concede the present
government even longer life than five years.
In conclusion Mr.. Balfour welcomed the
workngmen i'm Parliament, but said he |
doubted If the present labor representation |
was destined to introduce legislation bene- |
fetal to the country. or which the unionists
could support
New Labor Members Meet.
The new labor party members OF Parlia- |
ment, to the number of thirty, who were |
nominated under the auspices of the labor |
representation committee. held their first |
meeting in committee room of the House |
of Commons today and elected j. Keir |
Hardie chairman for the coming session
The members who attended the meeting |
also decided that they would sit on the
nh
is distinguished from the rest of the labor |
party by the fact that it is pledged not !
to enter into an alliance with the radical |
party, but to formulate its own independent |
program.
The meeting also decided to cooperate ,
with the trades unionist members on labor
bills without formally allying themselves
with that party.