ABSTRACT
As soon as the electoral landslide of January, 1906, had relegated Tariff Reformers to Opposition, people began to count heads-at least such heads as had not been broken. It was computed that Tariff Reformers numbered 102; Balfourites, 36; Unionist Free Traders, 16, or thereabouts. From these facts it was generally inferred that Mr. Balfour's shrift would be short; and that as, in the eyes of Tariff Reformers, he had been responsible for the disaster, he would have to make way for a better chief. And indeed, with his scanty territorial troop of Balfourites pitted against the whole disciplined squadron of Birmingham ironsides, the ex-Premier looked in a parlous state indeed. Some little time back he had read his policy to a public audience from the historic half sheet of note-paper. This Half Sheet, however, had proved about as clear as cuneiform to the average elector.
