New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-01-03
A BALFOUR MANIFESTO.
FlG7Cs IN Liberal PrlncipIes-Need
of Fiscal Reform.

London, Jan. "A. J. Balfour, the former
Premier, issued his election address tonight
In it he says that the country knows the mem
bers Of the present government chiefly as crit
les and that their criticism has been sometimes
singulary INSCRIPTIONS and perverseI as in the
case Of Chinese labor and other matters After
referring to the adherence of the new Ministry
to Home Rule for Ireland and to the disestab-
Iishmeut of the Church IN Wales. the address
says:
One thing the Liberals regard as immutable.
however the conditions Of international trade
may have changed, is the fiscal policy OF the
country. I take the more conservative view. ana
hold that the time has arrived to adapt Eng
lands fiscal policy to the changing conditions
of changing world Should you return the
Unionist party to power it is to the reform of
the fiscal system that its attention ought first
be directed.
With this brief reference to fiscal reform Mr..
Balfour quits the subject. He then proceeds to
express his want Of confidence in Sir Edward
Grey as Foreign Secretary. because whatever
his capacity to direct the Foreign Office there
must be two conditions in his favor-frst,
strong army and navy without which in times
of stress diplomacy must degenerate either into
bluff or to appeals to mercy. and, second. the
support of a united Cabinet. Mr. BaIfour says
it is doubtful If these conditions can be fulfilled
and continues:
In imperial matters the gulf which divides, say
Robert William Perks (the Liberal member for
East Lindsey LincoInshire) from John Redmond
Qeader of the Irish party) is unreasonable. No
formula can conceal it and no compromise can
bridge it.
The former Premier closes with appeal for
support on the personal ground Of his twenty
years of faithful service.
Joseph Chamberlain has plunged into the cam
paIgn with all his old time ardor. In the face
of considerable opposition he delivered two
5o1- nd
is scheduled to speak in a number Of the larger
towns in the course Of the coming week.
Mr.. Balfour contents himself with a quieter
fight, and is combining his energies TO his own
constituency Of East Manchester His attitude
on the fiscal problem as indicated by his cleo
ton address, is of a non-commtttal character
in strong contrast with that Of Mr.. Chamber
lain. who does not hesitate to advance his views
at every opportunity
In the course Of his two speeches at Birning-
ham Mr. Chamberlain asserted that he would
ito morrow put a duty on lux1ries and foreign
manufactures" but that he would not tax raw
materials. With reference TO home rule, he told
his constituents that were 1t adopted you will
have in Ireland a sort Of Jumping-on place for
every enemy Of the country who desires to take
the lump" Mr. Chamberlain further said that
IL ala not regard John Redmond as dangerous,
adding: so long as the Unionist government
i IN power we can afford to allow him to buster
as much as he likes"
Among the interesting political manifestoes is
one issued by c. w NIAGARA, president of the
Master Cotton Spinners' Association Of Great
Britain, which strongly favors free trade and
saws that the adoption of the Chamberlain policy
would bring ruin upon the cotton industry
According TO well informed gossip in Dublin
IL great changes are expected in the Irish rep
rssen+ation in Parliament Rumor says that Sir
Antony Macdonald, the Permanent Under Sec
retary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland IS
husv at Dublin Castle shaping schemes LOT tIe
administration Of Ireland, but it is said that tfe
Cabinet already has decided that no irish nllls
win be presented in Parliament in 1905