The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-03-19
Death TAXES
LORD BALFOUR,
noted BRITON
English Statesman Empire
Builder Under Rule of
Three SovereignS.
HEADED WAR MISSION
Notable Figure in World
Politics for so Years
Loses Fight.

WORKING, England, March 10
Lord Balfour, 81, British statesman,
died at the residence Of his brother,
Fishers Hill house, today.
On March 10, Lord Balfour suf-
fered q sudden gastric chill, aggra-
waiting previously dangerous condi-
ton, and sank rapidly until the end.
For fifty years he had been a
notable figure in British and inter-
national politics. One Of the bril-
liant achievements of his career
rveolved around his visit to the
United States in 1917, as head OF
the British war mission. Upon his
return, in 1922, as a delegate to the
Washington naval conference, he
was received in America as an "old
friend"
Ill health forced his retirement
from political or public activity
nearly a year ago, but he leaves be-
hind him a record of half a century
in British politics, in which he had
a great share in the process of en-
pire building through the reigns OF
three soVereigns-Queen Victoria,
King Edward and the present King
George.
Brother Succeeds
Lord Balfour's brother, Gerald
BaIfour, succeeds to the title.
With the death of Lord Balfour
England loses her grand old man
of craftsmanship.
1t came hard for the English to
call him, an outstanding commoner.
Lord" Balfour. They had known
him so long al Mister" or "A. j."
or arthur" that the simpler titles
chung to him to the day OF his
incidentally, the bestOwal of a
peerage on the man who had held
every other gift in the power of the
British people. including the prime
ministership, was the direct out
come of the Washington conference.
Balfour. born in 1848 and a
statesman Of the old school, had
seen a World war come, with it
victory for the allies. He also had
seen a change in politics, with
younger, more aggressive school
forging to the front in parliament.
Bowed to Lloyd George
He had been forced to give over
his power to men like Lloyd George,
whom he had battled throughout
his career. As a mark of distinction
since Lloyd George couldn't go to
Washington for the Harding con-
ference-the grand old man" was
given this assignment, the last OF
his career.
He came home once more to IND
himself acclaimed hero. but hero
of peace. It was unacceptable that
he should be honored, and thus 1t
was that the perage-an carbon
which he had three times rejected
was thrust upon him.
Balfour was born an aristocrat,
and viewed the world with some
what bored and academic detach-
ment. In the first place, he was a
Cecil, and membership in that dis
tinguished family was a mark OF
aristocracy.
Member of Mission
He entered public life IN 1878
when. at the age Of 80, he accom-
panied his uncle, the Marquis OF
Salisbury, and Lord Beaconsheld,
the great Disraeh, as a member OF
the British mission to the Congress
of Berlin. For nearly fifty years
thereafter. he served in the house
of commons.
He assumed the premiership IN
1902. after a stormy interval as sec
rotary for Ireland. during which his
name became anathema in the is
land as "Balfour of the Iron Hand. }"
His government fell before the
onslaught OF Lloyd George in 1905,
but he returned to the cabinet with
ASquith. in the first coalition min
iStry of 1915. With Lloyd Georges
second coalition. he became foreign
secretary, which was his portfolio
when he headed the British war
mission to the United States in 1917
IN 1920 he left the foreign Office to
)ecome lord president of the privy
council.