The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-01-01 00:00:00

THE POLITICAL CRISIS.

The Press Association, after the news of L rd
Randolph Churchill's resignation was universally
known, said: "A hope is entertained in Conservative
circles that no resignatims beyond that of Is'rd
"Randolph Churchill will take place. It is now
generally known that the difference between the
noble lord and the Ministers responsible for the ;Val.
and Admiralty Departments has been developing for
some time, though up to a few days since then was
a strong hope es.tertained that an arrang meat
might be come to, especially as it is 'nder-
stood that Lord Randolph was outvoted in
the Cabinet upon this question. It will be mnem-
bared that there have been several meeting of late
between Lord George Hamilton, Mr. Smith, and Lord
Randolph Churchill; these meetings having aeen sug-
gested by Lord Salisbury with a view t.b an arrange-
ment might he arrived at. Lord Randolph Churchill
and Lord George Hamilton visited Windsor on
Monday evening. en they dined with the Queen.
We are info-med that, in addition to objecting to
the proposed increase in expenditure, Lord Randolph
Churchill is at issue with the majority of the Cabinet
in reference to the mode of representation on which
the new County Government Bill is founded, and also
in regard to an important provision in the new pro-
cedure proposals."
The Central News added: "The grounds upon
which Lord Randolph's resignation are based by the
2imes do not, it is believed, fully represent the points
of difference between himself and his colleagues.
Rightly or wrongly, his lordship is credited with
broader views on the subject of concessions to Ireland
than his colleagues are willing to adopt. Further,
his lordship's recent speech on the coal and wine
duties to the deputation from the City of London
served to alarm the older members of the party, and
I created so much uneasiness that public expression was
given to it on more than one occasion. The grounds
of resignation now put forth, however—namely, the
excessive demands for naval and military expenditure
—reveal for the first time an insight into next year's
proposed Budget, which may be taken as being of far
greater importance than even Lord Randolph's retire-
ment. It gives the first confirmation to well-grounded
fears of a European war; and City men are almost
unanimously of opinion that the enlarged estimates
can be proposed for no other reason than to enable
Great Britain to effectually preserve her interests and
make her voice felt in Europe if hostilities should
unhappily break out. It is argued that Ministers
must have had a strong belief in the possibility of
war, otherwise they would never have been led to
break with so powerful a colleague as Lord Randolph
Churchill. So far as the Naval Estimates are con-
cerned, it is understood that the recommendations
of Lord Charles Beresford are ta be in some measure
adopted."
The situation remained practically unchanged up
to Tuesday morning.

CABINET COITNCIL.
A Cabinet Council was held on Tues Jay at the
Foreign Office. The Ministers present were the
Marquis of Salisbury, the Lord Chancellor, the Lord
Chancellor of Ireland, Viscount Cranbrook, the Right
Hon. Henry Matthews, the Earl of Iddesleigh, the
Right Hon. Eaward Stanhope, the Right Hon. W. H.
Smith, Viscount Cross, the Right Hon. Lord George
Hamilton, the Right Hon. Lord John Manners, Lord
Stanley, the Right Hon. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach,
and the Right Hon. A. J. Balfour.
The Press Association on Wednesday said: We
understand that the Cabinet at its meeting yesterday
definitely decided to recommend a further prorogation
of Parliament. It was evident that there would not
be time after the rearrangement of the Cabinet to
complete the preparations for the session by Jan. 13,
the date originally fixed upon, and Ministers were
unanimously of opinion that it would be most con-
venient for Parliament to meet about the usual time,
early in February. In this connection it may be
stated that the selection of so early a date as Jan.
13 was made chiefly on the representation
of Lord Randolph Churchill. Several of the
other Minister's would have preferred a later
date, but subordinated their wishes to that of
the ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer, who desired that
no time should be lost in bringing before the House
of Commons the proposals of the Government in re-
ference to procedure. In laying before his colleagues
the facts connected with the crisis, Lord Salisbury
read the letter in which Lord Randolph Churchill ex-
plained his position. In this document this sole reason
assigned by the ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer for
his retirement was that which has already been pub-
licly stated. We are informed that the Cabinet were
entirely in accord with the Premier as to the inadvi-
sability of aftering the Army and Navy Estimates so as
to remove Lord Randolph Churchill's objections,
All the Ministry expressed deep regret at his lord-
ship's secession, but in the :present critical state
of affairs on the Continent it was felt that our
national defences should be looked to at any cost. As
to the future, the Premier's action in telegraphing to
Lord Hartington was warmly applauded, and an
earnest hope was expressed that the Liberal Unionist
leader would now respond in a favourable manner t ,
the appeal to join in the active work of the Govern-
ment. On the other hand, in the event of Lord
Traelindon adhering to his determination of last
summer an no portant section or tne caoinet were, we
believe, of opinion that such an event should not
hinder the Conservative party from riosins, un their
ranks and proceeding with the programme of legisla-
tion agreed upon. Beyond this little was done, it being
felt that before anything practical could be decided
the Cabinet must be in possession of the views of Lord
Hartington on the situation.
In consequence of the unusual importance attach-
ing to the occasion, there was a full attendance of
Ministers. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach and Lord
Ashbourne arrived at Euston from Dublin early on
Tuesday morning, having travelled all night in order
to be present at the meeting. Lord Iddesleigh, who
returned to London from Devonshire on Monday,
was at the Foreign Office three-quarters of an hour
before the time fixed for the Cabinet Council, and
prior to the arrival of his colleagues he was engaged
with his private secretary in the consideration of im-
portant dispatches from the Continent. His lordship
was joined shortly before half-past 12 eclock by
Lord Cranbrook, who walked from the Privy Council
Office. Lord Cross came over from the India Office
directly afterwards, meeting at the door of the
Foreign Office Lord John Manners, who bad driven
from his residence at Regent's-park. Mr. Henry
Matthews followed, and precisely at the half-hour the
Prime Minister put in an appearance. Owing to the
state of the rails and breakdown of the telegraph wire:
on the Great Northern Railway, the train by which
Lord Salisbury travelled from Hatfield was 40 minutes
late, it being noon before his lordship arrived at King's-
cross. He at once drove to Downing-street, and just
had time for a brief interview with his private secre-
tary at his official residence before proceeding to the
Foreign Office. As the Premier entered the quad-
rangle on his way to the Foreign Office he was joined
by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Stanley of Preston, and
Lord Ashbourne, and cordial greetings were exchanged.
Inside the quadrangle the party was joined by Mr.
Stanhope, who had come from the Colonial Office,
and more handshaking took place. Lord Salisbury
looked in excellent health and spirits, and Lord
Ashbourne did not appear to have sustained any ill-
effects from his prolonged journey. Mr. Smith, who
drove from the War Office, was the next arrival. Mr.
A. J. Balfour followed, having travelled to London
with the Premier. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach did not
arrive at his official residence in Downing-street until
shortly before twelve. Nevertheless he was in attend-
ance at the Foreign Office within a few minutes of
half-past twelve. Lord George Hamilton was the last
Minister to arrive. It is usual on occasions of grave
political significance for a crowd of spectators to
assemble in the vicinity of Downing-street in the hope
of catching sight of the various statesmen as they
arrive. Yesterday, however, there was very little
excitement. A small group had assembled opposite
the Downing-street entrance to the Quadrangle, and
bats were raised as the better-known leaders passed
in, but beyond this there was no demonstration.
The Cabinet sat for an hour and a quarter, most
of the Ministers afterwards proceeding to their
respective offices for the transaction of departmental
business. Lord Salisbury remained at Downing-
street until five o'clock, when he proceeded to Pad-
dington, en route for Windsor, to have audience of
her Majesty. In the course of the afternoon his
lordship had long interviews with Sir M. Hicks-
Beach and Mr. A. J. Balfour, in addition to devoting
a considerable time to correspondence. It is under-
stood that the Premier in his interview with the
Queen communicated the suggestion of the Cabinet in
reference to Parliament being further prorogued, and
also explained the precise nature of the attitude
which the Government have assumed towards
Lord Hartington. Lord Salisbury will return to
London from Windsor to-day. No further informa-
tion had, up to the time of telegraphing, been
received in London as to Lerd Hartington's move-
ments, but it is expected that he will reach the
metropolis to-morrow at the latest. It was understood
before the Cabinet Council broke up yesterday that
under these circumstances it would be useless to meet
again until Friday or Saturday. Accordingly several
of the Ministers have again left town for a day or two.
Mr. Stanhope left London early in the afternoon for
Lincolnshire, and about five o'clock Mr. Smith went to
Henley-on-Thames. Lord Cranbrook has returned to
Hemstead-park, Staplehurst, Kent. Foreign affairs
will necessitate L ,rd Iddesleigh remaining in town
until to-morrow. Mr. A. J. Balfour, who has also
pressing business in connection with his department
to attend to, will continue in London for a few days.
Lord Ashbourne Euston Station on Tuesday even-
ing by the Irish mail for Dublin. Sir Michael Hicks-
Beach goes to Ireland to-day. Lord Randolph
Churchill remains at 2, Connaught-place, not having
been to Whitehall since his resignation was published.
No communication from his lordship in reference to
the severance of his connection with the Ministry has
yet been received by his Paddington constituents, and
it is believed that he will make no public statement on
the subject until he can do so in his place in the
House of Commons.
In the course of an interview yesterday with a
prominent Liberal who enjoys the confidence of Mr.
Gladstone, our representative was informed that the
resignation of Lord Randolph Churchill at the present
juncture was received with the liveliest satisfaction.
"Whatever happens," said the gentleman interrogated,
"it must work to our advantage. If Lord Harting-
ton consents to a coalition, which I for one strongly