It has been contended by some Con servative journals that the scene was pro-arranged for the purpose of discrediting the Government and gaining @ party advantage; but this was certainly not the case. Mr. Balfour, whether through his own fault or that of the Opposition, has not yet replied to the cha against him of having broken s pledge, and it would not be fair to discuss the question whether or not he is guilty; but these facts we know for certain: that in his Edinburgh speech last October, and much more explicitly since, Mr. Balfour has declared, both inside the House and out of it, that there must be one general election before question of altering our fiscal the direction of colonial preferences is considered by a colonial conference, and another before the jay shall take any action to carry into effect the recommendations of such a conference. Mr. "Chamberlain from the first protested against this policy, which would defer the possibility of carrying out his fiscal proposals until after at least two general elections, Mr, Balfour, in the full knowledge of these protests, reiterated his declaration from time to time until within the last fow days, Latterly, aa. everyone knows, ro boon several conferences between Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Balfour, with a view to reconciling their policies the fiscal question; and on Mondsy ho announced that when he made his declaration originally, ho was thinking of 8 Colonial Conference called for the special purpose of considering the fingal question, and had forgotten all about the Colonial Conference which falls due next year. He maintained that his declaration was not a pledge, but a statement of policy which he had a right to al and that the fiscal question would certainly not be debarred from discussion by the coming Conference.
Guardian of his own Honour.
Tt is absurd to pretend that indignation which this announcement appeared rouse among the Opposition was, simulated; nor doos his most bitter opponent deny that Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was fiat studiously moderate in the terms in which he called attention to the subject and moved the adjournment of the House, This strongest neutence was Lhe last of all, im which be declared that the matter was of extreme importance Lecauee it involved. the honour of the rime Minister of Eng-Ind Again it carnot, be denied thet. it has been the usual—thouch pecraps not
personal honour has been impugned, for che ea when a Mi rid that Minister to rise xt once to defend himself. The honour of Mr. Balfour, and no one elec, had been im-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.