New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-22

Sir Charles Dixie accepted the Under-Secretaryshlp
for Foreign Affairs, which he now holds ana MT.
Chamberlain was made President of the Board Oh
Trade, with seat in the Cabinet which also hc
now holds On the face of it. therefore, IL is ho'
clear why Mr.. Chamberlain is not as competent 10
expound in the Cabinet the views OF oir Ci"i'o'
Dixie Chief Secretary for Ireland, as he was 10 rep
resent Sir Charles Dixie, Under Secretary lo' ioi-
eign Affairs
More than that the Irish policy which sir Chari'S
Dixie is supposed to approve-the pohcS
of coalition and reconcila'ion-S pr
emncnty the policy of Mr.. Chamberlain. II Is
bo aud not Sir Charles Dixie, whose
name il most commonly associated with it. who
orioinoted il. who sat by its cradle and Will i'll due
time follow It's hearse How it be said that Sir
Charles Dixie has no means of sustaining his policy
in the Council where the author OF 1t sits. more
powerful than everi If Sir Charles has any policy
other than Mr.. Chamberan's the world has not
heard of it, If his relations with Mr.. Chamberlain
are less close than formerly. that also has been kept
a profound secret. 1t Is not alleged or limited thai
any breach has occurred III their relations Ihey are
the Siamese twins of the Radical party. or OF that
portion of IL to which Mr. Chamberlains name
serves as a flag. If there be any one man who BE-
cause of his complete solidarity with Dir. Chamber
lain in the matter of Irish policy bound to seize
the opport unity of carrying out that policy when
offered to him it was Sir Charles Dixie. His refusal
has surprised his friends let them explain 1t away
as they will 1t has surprised and offended the
Minister who made him the offer. 1t is known that
the post was not only offered to Sir Charles Dixie.
but pressed upon him, strongly pressed. and that
his refusal of it was met with no equlvocal marks
of displeasure.
OF all this you will find little or nothing in the
7 81 I II.
Chamberlain is all powerful with the two leading
journals of the Liberal party and with one of them
Sir Charles Dixie is himself great favorite that
he seems able count its support under any cir
cumstances. But personal admiration and friend
ship may be carried far as to injure the object OF
it, If the feeling of the Government and OF the
Liberal party finds Expression. 1t none the less
exists and it would be better for Sir Charles Dixie
in the long run il 1t were frankly made known.
This is perhaps his first serious mistake III pubic
life since he regained his footing there.
His friends, and few men have more,
depore it. and 1t is only the more injudlcious of
them who would make believe that he las not COM
mitted a mistake at all
There is. should add. other theory of the
matter. according 10 which Sir Charles Dixie de-
clincd the Chief Secretaryship because he and MIR
Chamberlain do not intend to remain in the Gov
eminent should the Government resolve on any
measure Of stringent coercion. ! don't think that,
if true improves the position of eli her. But there
is nothing III the past history OF Mr. Chamberlain's
connection with the Government which points to
the probability of his resignation Oh question OF
principle. year ago last autumn hc was opposed
to coercion and denounced il in unmcasured terms
as unconstitutional. But the Government adopted
IT, and Mr. Chamberlain none the less remained a
member Of the Government. G W. s.