Semi-weekly herald., 1914-07-06
FAMOUS BRITISH ),
STATESMAN DEAD
Joseph Chamberlain, Colonial Secretary from 1895
to 1903, Passes Away Following Long Illness
-.-SickneS Cause Of Quiet Life for Years
United Press.

berlain, for years one of the COM
manding figures in British history.
died last night at his home, Prince
Farden, South Wales, after protract-
ed illness that had barred him from
public life for years. The end was
peaceful. His family was at his bed
side
Joseph Chamberlain was born in
London, July 8, 1886, one year be-
fore Queen Victoria came to the
throne. Although Londoner by
birth, it was in Birmingham that his
large wealth and his political repu-
tation were gained. He went to Birm-
ingham in his eighteenth year to join
his cousin, Joseph Nettlefold, in de-
veloping a patent for the making of
pointed screws. The firm became
known the world over in few years.
On the death of his father in 1874
Mr.. Chamberlain had made sufh-
cient fortune to retire, and he devoted
himself entirely to local politics. He
was chairman of the school board
and finally mayor in 1878, being elect
ed three times in succession. His en-
try into parliament was a reversal
of traditions. Members were at first
surprised that this young screw manu-
xfscturer from Birmingham knew how
20 dress. The arrival into what was
regarded as select club of man
educated at university college, with
profound ignorance of sport and no
= training but purely business one
was an innovation among the gov
erning classes, and it was said that he
was suited to the task of governing
parish rather than legislating for an
empire.
ASe hC dNhiSNCd SabiliCi III
four. years, although some pressure
had to be put upon Mr.. Gladstone to
appoint him president of the board of
trade. In 1885 he was president OF
the local government board. Mr.
Chamberlain was an opponent to
Coercion and had formulated the cele-
brated scheme for settling the Irish
peasants on their land, known as that
of Three acres and cow" but his
repugnance to Parnelism, and his in
ability to follow Mr.. Gladstone's pro
posal for a separate parliament in
Dublin, led to his resignation on
March 27 of that year. About this
time he added to his reputation con-
siderably as one of the plenipotentiar-
les at, the conference on the fisheries
dispute with the United States. In
1888, Mr.. Chamberlain was married
for the third time, to Miss Endicott
daughter of w. C. Endicott, who was
President Cleveland's first secretary
of war.
Some surprise was caused by his
appointment in 1895 to what was then
regarded as the minor post of colonial
secretary by Lord Salisbury. In 1897
and for the next two years he was
lord rector of Glasgow university.
The Transvaal war of 1899-19O2 is
recent history. 1t is generally be.
lieved that Mr.. Chamberain's coun-
sells, more than those of any other
British statesman, resulted in the
great struggle which made all South
Africa British. Never once during
that struggle did he waver in his be-
lief that British arms would be tri-
umphant. After the war ended Mr..
Chamberlain made his famous Jour
ney to South Africa and did most
valuable work in helping to bring
about good feeling between Briton
and Boer.
In May, 1903, he announced his
scheme for fiscal reform, which since
then has redivided political parties
and led to a number of cabinet res
ignations. Mr.. Balfour finally resign
ed office in December, 1905.
OF Mr.. Chamberlain's personality
the best known sides were his love
for orchids and his devotion to to-
bacco. His tastes were domestic. Ee
often described himself as one of the
worst athletes in England. Whatever
the advantage to the British nation
may be OF the causes he fought for,
ne was unquestionably fighter. Par
Lament was his hobby and his recre-
alton, as well as his work, and his
industry was immense. All his life
he was Unitarian.