The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-17
Difficulties OF the English Cabinet
Question.


Question.
A special cable telegram TO the HERALD,
dated in London yesterday evening, informs
us that the British Cabinet crisis was main
tanned at the moment when our despatch was
forwarded. Mr.. Dsrael still refused to ac-
cept Office. Parliament will reassemble to-
day. Mr.. Gladstone was again at audience
with the Queen. The probability, most gen.
orally accepted last night, was that the leader
Of the liberals will resume Office. It is thought
that his Cabinet will remain unchanged
1t may be taken as a truth that Mr.. Disraeli
and Lord Derby cannot, and that Mr.. Glad
stone is personally unwilling to, carry on the
government of England This is pretty much
the political situation just now. The former
are not in the least averse to power, and from
inclination, as well as from the pressure of the
tory party and hungry politicians, would
gladly administer the government; but they
are afraid to make the attempt with majority
in the House of Commons against them, and
they have so informed the Queen. The very
first measure which they introduced might
be defeated particularly if it should be one
of general character involving principles of
governmental policy. They might be placed
at the outset in q more embarrass-
ing position than Mr.. Gladstone was
with the Irish University bill. Then,
in accordance with the constitutional
theory of government in England, they should
resign. There is no way of acquiring the
necessary support but by reconstruction Of
the House of Commons through dissolution
of Parliament and a new election. But even
in that case majority of liberals or anti-tory
members might be returned. That is more
than probable. 1t would be simply doubt
full experiment We see then, the difficult
ties Dsrael and Lord Derby would have to-
encounter either with or without new cleo
ton, and are not surprised that they decline
to accept Office. Then there is an aversion to
plunging the country into the agitation and ex-
pense of electing another Parliament. On the
other hand Mr.. Gladstone seems to be indif-
ferent about retaining office and to be de-
sirous of retiring from public life. He has
shown, consequently, more sensitiveness over
the defeat, by only small majority, of the
Irish University bill than one more tenacious
of office would have manifested. But how can he
abandon his royal mistress to embarrassments
and complications when the opposition cannot
and will not undertake the administration A
compromise Ministry is spoken of, but there
are great difficulties in the way of that. There
appears to be no line of.general policy upon
which such hybrid government would agree.
The alternative is either an appeal to the coun-
try and the election of another Parliament, or
the Gladstone Cabinet to remain in power to
carry out the general policy of the liberals,
with an abandonment or modification of the
Irish University measure. It is not often that
the offices of administration in England go
begging for men to take them, but the political
situation, at the present time is peculiar If
Mr. Gladstone wished to retain Office, and
were determined to do so, he could, no doubt,
overcome the present difficulty. There may
be some foundation for the rumors at the
clubs in London that Earl Granville is to be
Premier and Mr.. Cardwell Chancellor of the
Exchequer In the absence of news to thu,
contrary we still think Mr.. Gladstone will
have to guide the ship Of State for some time
longer. unless he should meet with more sig
nal defeat on some other measure in Parlim-
ment.