New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-07-04
Joseph Chamberlain.


Joscnh Chamberlain was the survivor in Eng
land Of a great group of political leaders lie was
associated with the era OF Gladstone Dsraeli
Bright and Salisbury. In that company he was
not out Of place Self-centred, resourceful with
natural gift for political discussion and manage
ment he never hcsitated TO measure himself with
the most formidable of his contemporaries and he
seldom failed 10 make his way and hold his own
His reputation even in retirement, overshadowed
that of any other English leader of the present
day
Invalidism aud the breakdown OF the Protcc-
ZIONIST movement threw something of shadow
over the closing period Of his career. In his
later years his ability 10 gauge English public
opinion and adapt himself to it weakened little.
Otherwise he would hardly have tried TO revive
Protection in the United Kingdom, which cannot
feed itself and must depend for prosperity on the
frcest possible system OF exchanges with other
countries.
He was a much keener interpreter Of strictly
English sentiment when he abandoned the Liberal
party on the issue Of Home Rule for Ireland. He
broke with Gladstone that question after the
election of 1856 In the twenty eight years that
have elapsed since then England itself has stoutly
no Home Rule bill could ever have been passed,
the majority for the Asquith- Redmond measure
having been furnished by the pro Home Rule cleo
tors Of ireland, Scotland and Wales.
Mr.. Chamberlsn's secession from the Liberal
party was the turning point in his career. Up to
that crisis he had exhibited strong radical ten
denotes He started out as an advocate of re-
publican form Of government for the United l\ing-
dom and he was classed for time with radical
extremists like Bradlaugh Labouchere and SIR
Charles Dixie. He less of moderate than
Gladstone when he entered the latter's Cabinet
But following the Home Rule break he drlfted
rapidly toward conservatism. He called himself
a Liberal J'nionist then a Unionist. Later he be
came what Gladstone was originally cut out to
be-the rising hope of the stern, unloading Tories
In his political views and sympathcs Mr.. Cham
berlan worked all the way around the circle. re'
his exceptional force and viGor made him master
figure in every group with which he was asSoci-
atcd. lie might have remained Liberal. antci-
patcd Lloyd George as social reformer ana sue
ceeded Gladstone. He might have claimed his
lust dues as a Conservative and displaced Mr.
Balfour as Prime Minister and Cnionist leader
He had courage, decision and adaptabllity in Il
marked dcgrec-that he bad proved even before
Inc entered Parliament 10y his remarkable achieve
ments as Mayor Of Birmingham. Wherever he
stood and whatever cause he advocated lie was
q man OF the first rank, whose ideas and influence
always had unusual weight
Two Of the big causes with which he was CON
snicuousy associated failed. The first was the
Illustration Of local selfgOycrnmcnt for ireland
the second was the return TO Protccionism aud
the granting Of preferential tariff duties TO outly-
ing parts Of the Empire. The third big cause
which he made his own was Imperialism lie
will probably be remembered chiefly for what nc
did 10 strengthen the empire and to put new
strength into the ties which bind the United King
dom TO It's distant autonomous dependencies, Aus
tralia New Zealand, Canada aud the South Afri-
can Union. His policy brought on the Bocr war
and thus opened the way for n consolidation Of the
South African States. lie Big Englandcr
and an invccrate foe ~ the Little Englandcrs.
I'm domestic politics he was at the trout in every
great battle on every great issue for more tlan
thirty wears A history OF his activities would u"
, history of Paraincnts activitics. Iut his chief
titlc TO- fame will undoubtedly bc his work ~
constructive iinpcrislst, a builder aud consc-
dator Of the Empire Of The Seven Seas