New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-04-26
THE NEW LIBERALISM
Free Trade the Chief 1sset-Play-
ing zcith Socialism.

London. April Is.
Liberalism is in a transition stage with a
stronger will to direct its fortunes than Sir
Henry Campbell Bannerman's So much is evil
dent from the reconstruction of the government
an effective job of political carpentry The
changes in the departments of administration
involve increased efficiency and fresh reserves
Of energy and practical ability II is better Cabi
net for business purposes than the old one was
the Improvement in the Colonial Office and the
Admiralty being conspicuous. It will also be a
superior instrument for carrying out general
policies on which Mr.. Asquith is determined to
concentrate party energies. Mr.. McKenna goes
to the Admiralty, leaving behind him an educa-
ton bill TO be quietly dropped in the expecta-
ton that a compromise can be effected by the
Bishop Of st. Asaphs and Mr.. Lloyd George an
other year. TWO veterans transferred TO the
House Of Lords. and that is a sign that the i'll
advised campaign against the privileged cham
Der will be temporarily abandoned. Unity and
force will be impaired TO the administration.
whose stability will depend upon the success Of
its financial and social legislation.
Mr.. AsQuith is reverting the issue with
which he was identified in the last general cleo
ton. This is the defence of Cobdenism and all
its works. Mr.. Winston Churchill in opening
with fiery ardor his canvass in Manchester is
bringing Free Trade well to the front as the
main policy Of the Liberal party. and this is
done without doubt under instructions from the
Prime Minister. The education question is al
lowed TO fall into the background. although the
government empowered by the general cleo
torate to settle it, and has been blocked by the
Lords. MIR. Asquith and MI Lloyd George, each
by birth Nonconforrnst, have agreed that a
compromise is desirable, and willing to wait
a year for it; and they justify their action in
post poning legislation which Mr.. Balfour and
the Lords have virtually vetoed by the neces-
sty for offering strenuous resistance to the
movement for a general tariff against foreign
manufactures and for protective taxation OF
bread and meat They are concentrating party
activities on this single issue because they are
convinced that the risks Of the abandonment Of
Free Trade have increased.
The dangers Of a reversion to a tariff have in
deed multiplied. The Unionists as q political
organization are no longer divided the ques-
ton Mr.. Balfour has ceased TO evade response
bility and is fully committed to the policy Of
tariff reform When the Unionists return to
power their first work will be a conference for
colonial preference and legislation for tariff
on Mr. Chamberlain lines Indeed, it Is doubt
full If any candidate that side secure a
nomination unless he be prepared to support
the tariff proposals. These things plain.
Mr. Churchill has sounded in Manchester a
will lose the battle. So true is IL that the fut-
ure of Cobdenism depends absolutely upon the
success of Liberalism that his defeat in the
exchange division will be heralded the be-
ginning of the end of Free Trade. Mr.. Churchill
is sent forward to force the fighting on the
tariff issues and whether he succeeds or fails
Free Trade will be the chief resource Of the Lib
eral party when Mr.. Asquith is confronted with
a general election.
Not only is the education issue obscured, but
Irish Home Rule on Gladstonian lines is also
excluded as a question OF current politics Mr.
Asauith has not openly repudiated Ii, but he
has coldly asserted that the present Parliament
is not empowered to take it up and that there
can never be a separate legislature in Dublin
until the general electorate authorizes It. Mr..
Birrells university scheme, which has been well
coined with equal warmth by Mr. Balfour and
the Nationalists will be carried out belated
act OF justice Roman Catholic ireland; but
this is the limit which Mr. Asquith has set for
concession TO the island before the general cleo
tions. and the appeal to the country will then
be made on the large issue of the maintenance
of Free Trade.
Dir. Churchill in his election manifesto has