New-York tribune., 1909-06-27
TIE CECILS AT BAY
Orford University as a Refuge for
Free Trade.
Iordon June ia.

the party caucus nor by agitation for tariff re-
form. His brothers are conscientious Free
Traders who will not accept the declarations OF
Mr Balfour and OF overwhelming majority
OF the Unionist Associations respecting the car
dinaI policy OF the party Lord Robert Cecil
represents East Maryiebone in Parliament and
is making a strenuous struggle to retain the
seat in the general election He has offered to
resign the seat whenever he finds it impOssi-
BILE support the next Unionist government
on the fiscal question; but the members of the
Constitutional Union are nearly evenly divided
on the expedlency of supporting him on so pre-
carious a pledge and 1t is probable that tariff
reform candidate will be put up against him
and that he will share the fate OF his younger
brother. Lord Hugh Cecil, at Greenwich The
political monk, as the latter is called at West
minister, has been shut out Of Parliament be-
cause no Unionist association has been willing
to nominate so uncompromising opponent OF
tariff reform. There is only one door by which
he can be restored to public life. and that has
been opened to him at the University Of Oxford,
where he will probably be returned at the gen.
eraI election as the successor Of Mr.. Talbot.
The man will be considered more important
than the party mandate
It is possible that a tariff reform candidate
may be brought forward at the university by
the nonresident graduates; but threats Of ag-
gressive action are not we'll received at OK
ford. Apart from the question Of tariff re-
form he is an ideal representative of the uni
versity, for he is not only the son of one OF
the most famous of its chancellors, but he IS
also an intensely earnest ehurchman, schol-
arIy orator and a man of remarkable force OF
character. His oxford supporters include
many convinced Tariff Reformers. who assert
that the party test ought not to be applied so
mi it g,r,e cfrrHf
thousand voters in the kingdom. who can take
advantage OF what is in reality an educational
franchise in eIecting two burgesses to represent
them in Parliament 1t is urged by his friends
that the university will disgrace itself by turn
ing down an intellectual candidate who has
made serious sacrifices for principle and eX-
cited the relentless opposition Of the caucus
but that It will honor itself and dignity what
has been regarded irresponsible, fancy
franchise by brushing aside with contempt the
intrigues Of factions and by electing him with
substantial unapimity. Oxford has not always
acted on so high a level Of political indepen-
dence, for Mr.. Gladstone, who was certainly as
sincere and eminent a churchman Lord Hugh
Cecil, was defeated there by Mr. Gathorne
Hardy, when his Toryism was diluted with de-
votion to the principles of Peel and Golden and
progressive Liberalism. Magnaninaity will be
easier in this instance, for the candidate is q
thoroughgoing Tory, in spite Of his determine
ton to think for himself on the most important
article in the Unionist programme.
The Tariff Reformers dread the influence Of
the Cecils over their leader, MI BalfOur, who
required so much persuasion and coercion be
fore he could be induced to commit himself
without serious reservation TO Mr.. Chamber
lains cause. They assume that the leaders
faith in the tariff policy will be impaired If
these eminent and incorrigible Free Traders
are sent to Westminster as triumphant rebels
against the caucus. Probably they are right,
for Mr. BaIfour has the tastes of patrician,
and, lacking inherent force Of will himself, has
always been Influenced by the famous family TO
which he is closely related. Lord Hugh Cecil
moreover, while utterly unmauageable himself
has the incompatible gift Of commanding re-
spect and admiration. His IS a winning per
sonaIIty, with a moral earnestness unique among
English public men and a lofty detachment
from the world Of sordid ambitions and motives
Of expediency. He speaks with passionate IN
tensity Of conviction and stands for conscience
as we'll as academicaI training. His influence was
felt as soon as he entered Parliament. and the
"Hughligans" were proud of the distinction OF
being his followers. So keen was his mOrdant
wit so subtle was his intellect and SO master
fuI was his oratory that he might haze aspired
to the highest honors of successful party ser
vice if he had been willing to conceal or sacri-
fee his convictions respecting Free Trade, Il
ts because he is high-minded, sincere and dis
interested that he is a bad politician and an ex-
treueIy influential public leader. Not only Mr..
Balfour but all who are brought into close re
Iations with him are impressed with the dignity
and unseIfshness of his political career.
MI Balfour is censured by Hotspurs on his
own side for vacillatiOn and nstlessness in al
1ryra ct hfs
tbority and the wishes Of the majority OF the
Conservative party. This is hardly reasonable. !
The CeciIs, as sons Of a distinguished Prime
Minister cannot be whipped into line as If they
were schooIboys playing truant. They Free
Traders when they have nothing 10 gain and
much to lose by their loyalty to principle. They
cannot be convinced that tariff reform is |
either expedient or necessary, and they have |
the courage to persevere in their hostility TO it.
What is TO be done with them? Are they 70 |
be driven out of Parliament by having tariff |
reform candidates nominated against them! /
The staIwarts advocate this course, on the |
ground that every vote will be needed and that |
there must be a concentration Of forces on the |
dominating issue of supreme Importance. Men /
of more tolerant minds take clearer and more !
rational view of party policy. They assert that |
there Will be a larger and more enthusiastic |
UPRISING of Unionist voters If the lines are not |
drawn so rigidIy over the tariff issue. This is |
reported to be MI BaIfours opinion There |
Is q considerable minority OF Conservatives who |
do not want tariff reform, although they are |
heartily opposed TO the Liberal budget and are |
unwilling to vote against their own party. II |
there are a few representative Free Trade
JTnionists like the Cecils in Parliament 1t Will |
be less difficult to mass the strength Of the op-
position to progressive Liberalism than it will