The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1906-02-16
CHAMBERLAIN
RULES PARTY
Balfour Adopts His Tariff
Programme
UNIONIST PARTY COUNCIL
Then Endorses the Ez-premier The
Meeting Yesterday Was Unexpect-
eddy Peaceful-Deyonahire
to Consult
UNIONIST PARTY COUNCIL

London, Feb. 16--With former Prem
Ter Balfour's entry into the ranks Of
the whole Hoggers," as the Chamber
lainites have dubbed the deal, public in
terest in yesterdays meeting of the
Unionists at Lansdowne House was dis.
counted and little was left for the as
semblage to consider but questions Of
party organization and general plan
Of campaign. The presence Of the duke
Of Devonshire, former president of the
council, however with his free-food fol
lowers, was considered in some quarters
as giving promise of enliyeing the pro-
ceedings. From five hundred 70 six hun
dTed Unionists attended the meeting,
which lasted an hour and u half. No
reporters were admitted, but il is known
that the proceedings were amicable. The
duke of Deyonshire, however, showed no
disposition to yield his views on fiscal
reform. On oil other questions he will
give willing support TO the party. He
regretted that he had read the cores
poudenee between Messrs. Balfour and
Chamberlain, published yesterday morn.
ing indicating that they have substan-
italy reached an agreement on this
question. The duke intimated that he
would have to consult with the free
fooders of the party as to their future
action. Mr.. Chamberlain declared that
if the duke Of Devonshre's views pre-.
vailed, the majority Of the Unionist par
ty would have to submit 10 the minority.
a resolution expressing confidence in Mr..
Balfoir was passed.
BaIfour Yields to Chamberlain.
The fact that former Premier Balfour
had finally crossed the bridge which
Joseph Chamberlain held out for him,
and that in correspondence published
late Wednesday night be takes his posi-
tion practically on 9fT. Chamberlains
tariff reform programme, is heralded in
the Liberal newspapers as "Balfour's
Surrender" "Chamberhin's Victory
tao, while the Daily Graphic, speaking
on behalf OF the Unionist ree.traders,
deplores Mr.. Balfours tourney to Ca
nossa" as the price Of his retention in
the leadership Of his party. The Cham.
berlain journals express complete sat.
sfaction and attach no Importance what
ever 10 the Balfourian limitations which
the former premier places upon his &C.
eeptance OF the proposed duty on corn
and tax on manufactures. The Stand
ard says that the agreemet between
the two foremost statesmen OF the party
is absolute and l-embracing" Mr.. Bal,
four's surrender, though delayed till the
eve OF the lansdowne house meeting,
quite evidently was arranged at the fam.
GUS dinner conference with Mr.. Cham.
berlain and enabled the latter 10 pub.
lish bis recent reputation Of desire for
the leadership which suddenly SiIled the
newspaper attacks on Mr.. Balfour,
AS though to emphasize the fact that
there viii be in the future a dual lead
crship Of the Unionists, il is announced
that in addition TO the provision of the
customary private room in the House
OF Commons for the official leadership
of the opposition only, similar room
has been allotted 10 Mr.. Chamberlain.
This is unusual, if not unprecedented.
Mr. Balfour and Mr.. Chamberlain are
still in negotiation with regard TO reor.
ganiEation Of the party machinery. MIR.
Balfour's conversion to Characterization
is likely to be unpalatable 10 a large
section Of the Unionist party, and the
l4ansdowne house meeting which the
duke of Deyonshire, Lord Hugh Cecil
and other free.traders viii attend, is
very likely to hear some plain speaking
on the subject.