Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-11-09
Retires from Position as
Chief Of Unionist Party
Because otQuestiOnS Regarding
. Efficacy Of His Leadership.
News Causes Surprise and In Some
Gases Consideration.

London. Nov. 81 J. Balfour has
resigned the leadership Of the opposi-
ton.
Throughout the cay there had been
rumors in the lobby of the House Of
Commons that MI Rafeur had decid-
ed to retire from mis- position a. chief
of the CHioIist paIt.5 in consequence
ot the diyergencx OF views regarding
the efficacy of his leadership. This
afternoon his purpose was definitely
and officially confirmed.
The news of Mr.. Balfours resigna
ton caused the utmost surprise and in
some quarters CONSERVATION The
unionists do not ate mpt 10 disguise
the seriousness of the loss Of enc who
Is admittedly the greatest asset OF the
party
1t is understood that Mr.. Balfour S
decision is unalterahle. lie advanced
the state of his health as the ostensi-
BILE reason for his withdrawal from
| leadership but there is no doubt that
the chickering's in the PARTY ranks were
the primary cause. He will remain in
Parliament. representing the eity Of
| London
The choice Of successor to Mr.. Bal
four seems 10 be between J. Austen
Chamberlain and Walter Hume Long.
! Th. former is the Liberal unienist
member for East Worcestershire aud
| fol sometime has been mentioned by
| the opponents of Bafour as his pos
sihIe successor. Long represents the
Strand
Arthur James Baifpur has been enc
offthe most conspicuous hgures of the
| British parliament for the last %
years and of late Years rs premier and
as leader of the opposition he has been
a dominating personality in the affairs
of the empire His first notable ser
vice was as Irish secretary during
which time the crimes act Was put
Into force He vas first leader of
the House Of Commons upon the death
Of W. Fl Smith. and throughout the
session of 1892 lie displayed increas-
ing ability in leading the Unionist
party.
With the return Of Gladstone te
| power DIr Balfour directed his
| speeches against the home rule meas
| ure for Ireland On the return of the
| Unionist party to power in 1895. Mr.
| Balfour again became leader Of the
| House His leadership while aggres
sive, was always marked with court
illness and tact which won him favor
| from both sides When the recent
crisis arose of the passage of the veto
| bill. limiting and practically. terminal
| ing the power Of the House Of Lords
| MI Balfour found himself for the first
| time Mt odds with considerable por-
| ton of the party he was leading
The supreme test on the veto bill
was its acceptance or rejection by the
House of Lords and if rejected the
| creation of a large number of peers
to force it through the upper branci
of Parliament. In this emergency MI
| Balfeur was for concession without
forcing the issue OF creating new peers
whereas Lord Halsbury took the ieat
| of a conservative element. known as
the die hards which were deter
| mined to resist the veto measure e
the last. The policy of Mr.. Balfoui
prevailed despite this split and the
veto measure was accepted by thu
| House of Lords. But the result left
| a deep impression and even resent
ment in some quarters and II was
| fell that however wise Mr. Balfour s
| concessions had been from po1ttca
| viewpoint, they had seriously crippled
| his leadership of d united party His
| retirement. today, marks the close oi
! this recent bitter division