Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-25
CHAMbERLA|NS STOOD
FOF TARIFF REFORM
His Withdrawal From Politics
Means Loss to England of
Powerful Exponent.
CALLED .UNCROWNED KING
IN TOWN OF ADOPTION
Never Forgot Old Associations, and
Name of Birmingham Always
on His Lips.
Special Correspondence of The Star
LONDON, January 10,

Special Correspondence OF The Star.
LONDON, January 10, 1914.
Birmingham's 'uncrowned king" Jo-
seph Chamberlain, has announced his
Withdrawal from politics, and therein
the cause of tariff reform in this country
loses its first and most powerful expo
nent. The veteran politician has taken
TO active part in the questions of the
last few yeras owing to his illness,
though he has retained his house Of com
mons seat for birmingham since his seiz-
ure in 1906. England parts reluctantly
with her prominent public men, and there
is probably no other country where q
statesman can hold a place in Its lesis-
lative activities which he never occupies.
He has had an eventful career, and time
has softened the bitterness with when
he was regarded for his desertlon OF
Gladstone over home rule for ireland
Chamberlain began his political career
as an advanced radical, and abandons it
as an ardent tory.
Unsuccessful as a liberal candidate lor
Sheffield in 1878, he was returned unop-
posed for Birmingham, then the great
citadel of English radicalism, IN lStd, con-
tinuing to be a representative OF the Guy
down to the redistribution OF seats under
chose TO sit for the west division, re-
tanning the seat up to the present. In the
commons he soon won distinction as
leader of the extreme radical wing, anu
his personality and his work SO nm
pressed Mr.. Gladstone that he gave MN
a seat in the cabient as president OF the
board of trade on the formation of the
administrat ton of 1850. This office he re-
tanned until 1855, his outstanding achleVe-
1nent during that term being the passage
haT
lance.
In 1885 appeared Mr.. Chamberlain's
unauthorized program, which sought
revision of taxation, tree edacatioh anu
compulsory acquisition of land for publlc
purposes. He became president OF the
local government board in MI Glad
stones cabinet of 1856, but although ne
had been very friendly 10 Ireland ne
broke away on the first home rule bill
and became leader of the llberal-ulhonist
party in the commons.
on the defeat OF Lord Rosebery's short
administration Mr.. Chamberlain joined
the Salisbury CABINET fls secEetai snip
for the colonies brought him fresh dis
tinction, especially during the period oil
the Boer war, which he was regarded
as having precipitated, and his advocacy
of imperial federation comnerclai union
with the colonies and workmens com
pensation added to his prestige with the
more progressive elements III the union
list party. He was an early advocate OF
old-age pensions. In 1893 he entered at
Glasgow on his tariff reform campaign,
which led to split among the unionlstS.
Popular in His Adopted City.
Mr.. Chamberlain was always immense
" popular in the Midland city of his
adoption His last public appearance
there was at the celebration of his sew
entieth birthday. The disastrous general
election of 1906, when the cry of Chinese
slavery swept tariff reform by the board.
was just over. But that did not affect
the prestige of Mr.. Chamberlain. Birming-
ham was indignant that the policy of its
hero, its '-uncrowned king as he was
not unfairly termed, should have been
repuiiated by the country. The result
was the most remarkable spectacle of
the public adulation of an individual
which has ever been witnessed.
Many attempts have been made to
analyze the chamberlain influence" in
Birmingham. In one sense it is simple
enough. He went there as young man.
succeeded in industry-and Birmingham
has always admired the successful bust
ness man-entered municipal politics, and,
in a word. made modern Birmingham
Not only did he make modern Birning-
ham in the matter of streets and squares
and buildings; he went into politics and
made Birmingham name known
throughout the world as signifyins a
great romantic ideal of imperial unity. So
one read of the schoolboy who wrote, not
that Birmingham was famous for any
OF its industries, from tintacks to dia-
mond necklaces, but that it was famous
for Mr.. Chamberlain,
But even pride in the man who had
made a great name in politics, who had
dared to create the empire, did not
count for the singular position Mr.. Cham
berlain held in the Midland city. That
brought respect in plenty but not neces-
ssrily personal affection. Mr.. Chamber
lain gained the love of Birmingham by
always being, before anything else "A
Birmingham man. He never forgot his
old associates. Wherever he went and
whatever he did. the name Of Birmin.-
ham was always on his lips.
Mr.. Chamberlain brooken no rival. The
sun of success which shone on him east
only shadows. and the man who wanted
TO join the great leader had to be content
with sliadowdom. 1t meant that Biz
ningham was Chamberlain and Cham
berlain was birmingham. All that is said
about the Birmingham caucus system
erful enough to be despot and the
rest were content that he should be-
influence Still Felt.
During lis seclusion from active par
ttcipation in public affairs his influence
has still been felt. It has been a very Gu
rious position. He has chung tenaciously 10
his power. And there Is something very
pathetic about that. For the first time
in the history OF the association of Bir-
rningham with Mr.. Chamberlain pure
sympathy las entered into the relation
snip.
Now We shall get fhe answer IN tbe