25 JULY 1903, Page 2

The Duke's words are eminently wise, and show that he

has lost none of that instinct for Imperial statesmanship which distinguished him at another great pOlitical crisis eighteen years ago. The Duke of Devonshire realises, as we have so often pointed out, that Mr. Chamberlain's policy must be resisted quite as much on Imperial as on economic grounds. If it is persisted in, it will ruin the Empire as surely as did the policy of Lord North. But when we lost America it was pos- sible to create another Empire, for half the world was still unclaimed. No such chance is now open to us. If we lose our Colonial Empire now, it must be lost for ever.