Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-02-15
SM00THED over.
Peace Again Reigns in
British UnioniSt Party.
Correspondence Between Bal
four and Chamberlain.
Shows The Cordial Relations, Outward|y al
Least, Between Them.


| pondence between A. ]. Balfour and
Joseph Chamberlain, dated today, and
published on the eve of the UniOnist
| party meeting at Lansdowne House,
| disposes effectively of the report that
serious difficulties exist between the
| factions of that party. Mr.. BalfOur's
| letter is as follows:
] 1.-The controversy aroused over the
fiscal question has produced not un-
| naturally the impression that the prac-
| teal difference Of fiscal refOrmers are
! much deeper Than in fact is the case.
| The exchange Of views which has con-
| stantly taken place between us leads
me to hope that this misconception
may be removed and with it the fric-
| ton which has proved so injurious TO
| the party. My own opinion, which I be-
| lieve is shared by the great majority
| Of the Cnionist party, may be briefly
| summarized as follows:
! Fiscal reform is and must remain
| the first constructive work Of the Uni
| onst party. The objects of such re-
| form are to secure more equal terms
of competition for British trade and
| closer commercial union with the colo
| MES.
1 while at present it is not necessary
to prescribe the exact method whereby
, these objects may be attained it is eX-
| pedient to permit of differences of
opinion regarding these methods to di-
vide the party. Though other means
may be possible, the establishment of
a moderate general tariff on manufac-
turcd goods, not imposed for the pur-
pose of raising prices or giving artiti-
cial protection against legitimate COM
| petition and the imposition OF a small
| duty on foreign corn. are not IN prlnci-
| pie Objectionable and they should be
| adopted if it can be shown to be neces-
| sary for the attainment of the ends IN
view or for the purposes of revenue
70 this letter Mr.. Chamberlain re-
II Piled as follows:
4 cordially welcome your letter of
today in which you have summarized
II the conclusions we reached during our
II recent discussions. l entirely agree
! with your description of the objects
we both have in view and gladly accept
the policy you indicate as wise and de-
sirable for the Unionist party to adopt
in cndeavoring to give effect to this
policy and in defending all the Union
ist principles and services 7 can render
will be entirely at your disposal.
| Former Premier Balfour finally has
CT ossed the bridge which Joseph
chamberlain held for him and in cor
Ire spondence published late last night
he takes his position practically on
Mr.. Chamberlain's tariff reform pro-
gram The fact is hcralded in the
Liberal newspapers this morning as
l"Eaifour's Surrender" Cha mberlain's
Victory" etc. while the Rally Graphic.
speaking on behalf of the Unionist
free traders, dcplorcS Mr.. Balfour's
Tourney to Canossa" as the price of
his retention in the leadership of his
party The Chamberlainite journals
teApreSS complete satisfaction and at
ltach no importance whatever to the
lRalfourian limitations which the for
mer premier places upon his accep-
lance of the proposed duty on corn and
la tax on manufactures. The Standard
lsays that THE agreement between the
two foremost statesmen of the party is
labsolute and all-embracing''
| Mr. BalfOurs surrender though de-
layed until the eve of the LansdoWe
House meeting quite evidently was
ARRANGED at the famous dinner con-
ference with Mr.. Chamberlain and en-
ahlcd the later to publish his recent
Reputation Of desire for the leader
slip which suddenly stilled the news
paper attacks on Mr.. BalfoUr.
AS though to emphasize the fact
that there will be in the future 4 dual
leadership of the Unionsts, it is an
lnounced that in addition to the pro-
vision of the customary private room
in the House of Commons for the Of
cial leadership of the opposition only.
a similar room has been allotted to
Mr.. Chamberlain. This is unusual if
n not unprecedented
II Mr.. Balfour and Mr.. Chamberlain
arc still in negotiation with regard to
Reorganization of the party machin-
cry.
AIR Balfour's conversion to Cham
berlainism is likely to be unpalatable
to large section of the Unionist par
II ty and the Lansdowne House meeting
which the Duke of Devonshire Lord
Hugh Cecil and other free traders viii
attend. is likely to be the afNna OF
some plain speaking on the subject.