The Dead Statesman.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 63, 6 July 1914, Page 5

The Dead Statesman.

MR JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN WORLD-WIDE CONDOLENCE “ONE OF THE GREATEST MEN.” [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] [United Prf.sk London, July 5. The burial will take place at Birmingham on Monday. A service will be held at. the Church of the Messiah, where the late Mr Chamberlain taught in the Sunday School, and another service will be held at St. Margaret’s, Westminster. ROYAL TRIBUTES. The King, in a message to Mrs Chamberlain, says: “The Queen and I assure you of our heartfelt sympathy and sorrow, and deeply regret the loss of one for whom I had the greatest admiration and respect.” Queen Alexandra, Mr Redmond, the South African farmers now touring England, and many others condoled with the family.

Times and Sydney Sun Services. London, July 5. Queen Alexandra’s personal message to Mrs Chamberlain said that the late Mr Joseph Chamberlain was “one of the greatest men this Empire has ever known.” THE GENERAL REGRET.” [United Press Association.] Ottawa, July 3. Mr Borden, on Hearing of the death of Mr Chamberlain, said he had had a great career in public life. Mr Chamberlain was a commanding figure, no less overseas than in the British Isles. For at least half a century he had profoundly influenced public opinion throughout the Empire. He was endowed with pre-eminent ability, unflinching courage and wide wisdom, and leaves behind him a splendid record of constructive statesmanship. His. death would be held in honor Ithroughout Canada, whose people extend to the family the deepest and unfeigned sympathy.

London, July 5

Mr Lloyd George, in an interview, said he had always had a profound admiration for Mr Chamberlain s great powers and a deep respect for his character. He was a man of immense personal force, quite fearless, and capable of inspiring millions with faith in his great ideals and principles, and the courage to fight for them. He had a genuine enthusiasm for social reforms. “I always believed in the sincerity of his desire to improve the condition of the masses of tlie people. In my judgment, but for the fatal diversion of his energies caused by the Home Rule schism, he would have been the greatest democratic statesman in the country.”

Lord Crewe, when distributing the prizes to the London Chamber of Commerce students, said all were saddened by the passing away of one of their greatest men. Thougn other men of commercial training and great commercial standing, including Cobden, Bright, W. S. Smith and Groshen had been eminent in public life. Mr Chamberlain was perhaps first in directly applying to public life those qualities and methods which led to victory in commercial life. Mr Redmond, in an interview, said Mr Chamberlain was a great and fearless man. Though Ireland in the past, had bitter thoughts of his attitude, all that was forgotten. “We watched his long, sad illness with deep sympathy, and sorrow deeply at his death.”

Mr O’Brien describes Mr Chamberlain as “a mighty and courageous fighter,” and says his views may yet form the foundation of the Irish settlement.

Mr Healy, Nationalist M.P., describes Mr Chamberlain as a man of immense ideals, and his ideas left an enduring impression on the country’s destinies. He detested bureaucracy, and was the fearless champion of original views.

Many columns of tributes to the late Mr Chamberlain have come from all sorts and conditions in public and private life, the Army and Navy, municipal reformers, politicians of all parties. More generous expressions were never bestowed on any sovereign. Massingham’s “The Nation” is the one exception, describing him as a great adverturer, though the paper admits the potency of his personality. Sir George Reid, interviewed, recalled Mr Chamberlain’s tact in conducting the 1897 conference. It was impossible to exaggerate the life and energy he infused into the relations between the Colonial Office and oversea Governments. • Indeed, the service he rendered to the Empire in that respect furnished the standard for ; all his successors. Hon. Thps. Mackenzie said: “We have lost an Empire-builder of unparalleled worth, who personally familiarised himself with our wants. He widened, deepened and strengthened the bonds of sympathy, and of patriotism in commerce and defence.

THE WORLD’S PRESS. > Paris, July 5. The newspapers publish long obituaries, describing Mr Chamberlain as the strongest personality in Great Britain in the last thirty years, and the true creator of British Imperialism, The Press expresses genuine admiration for hi s grandiose character, and his Imperialism.

Berlin, July 5. The newspapers pay generous tributes. The Tageblatt says the fact that the colonies now cluster round the -Motherland as a garland or independent sister nations is primarily due to Mr Chamber-lain. Papers of all shades of opinion describe Mr Chamberlain as the embodiment of British Imperialism, and one of the most arresting figures of modern English history. Capetown, July 5. The newspapers eulogise the late Mr Chamberlain’s great statesmanship, and especially bis efforts to effect racial reconciliation after the war. Ottawa, July 5. The papers issued an extra edition containing obituary notices ot Mr Chamberlain, expressing the jirofound grief of Canada. Pretoria, July 5. Lord Gladstone, at bis farewell banquet, paid a tribute to the deceased. BURIAL AT BIRMINGHAM. (Received 9.30 a.m.) London, July 5. In consonance with Mr Chamberlain’s desire to be buried at Birmingham, his family has declined the offer 'of interment in Westminster Abbey.