Lord Hugh Cecil's contribution to the debate was a brilliant
attack on Mr. Chamberlain. Ile insisted—a view in which we entirely concur—that Unionist Free-traders have a right to remain in the party. We would, however, go a step
further. Unionist Free-traders have also the right to make their Free-trade views effective, and that they can only do by opposing those who will not oppose Chamberlainism. If the debate had ended hero it would not have been specially memorable, but towards the end of the evening Mr. Chamber- lain rose, and after quoting a passage from Mr. Balfour's speech on May 15th, 1903, which he alleged expressed the Prime Minister's readiness to consider the proposals for drawing the Colonies together even though such proposals involved the taxation of food, used the following words :— "From the beginning of this matter I believe that the Prime Minister and myself in all essentials have stood upon exactly the same platform." This statement was made openly in the House of Commons, and in the presence of Mr. Balfour. Mr. Balfour heard it, and though he has no objection to correcting speakers by interpolating remarks, he made no interruption. Again, he did not ask any of his colleagues to repudiate the statement for him, though before the House rose his own brother joined in the debate. In view of these facts, it will surely be impossible to maintain any longer the proposition that Mr. Balfour is opposed to the Chamberlain policy.
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