In regard to Lord Hugh Cecil's speech, we can only
say how greatly pleased we should be could we persuade ourselves that his view of Mr. Balfour's position is the true one. We can fully understand the Chamberlainites being deeply chagrined at Mr. Balfour's attitude towards their cause, and we admit also that a chief who thus gives them such ample ground for want of confidence in his fiscal views cannot well be called a Tariff Reformer. At the same time, something more is wanted to give Mr. Balfour the right to be called a Free-trader. It will be curious to see whether Mr. Balfour repudiates, as the Morning Post demands that he should, his cousin's description of his attitude towards Free-trade. If he does not, it is difficult to see how the Tariff Reformers can continue to acquiesce in his leadership. In spite of this, we venture to predict that there will be no real repudiation by Mr. Balfour of Lord Hugh's allegations, and further, that the Tariff Reformers, though so sorely tried, will not dare to send Mr. Balfour an ultimatum or to renounce their allegiance. It is an uncanny situation.
Previous page
