New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-14
ENGLISH CABINET RUMORS.


ton of Mr. GladstOne's Cabinet. In order to
give adequate employment to their creative
iacnlties they make an elastic estimate oil
the number of invalids and malcontents. The
Lord Chancellor is in niirm health and may
be anxious TO retire the Secretary for War, OK
hausted by the drudgery of his office, is WIN
&c ing in the Mediterranean; the Home Sec
rotary has not fond cOngenal employment in
his department and has done nothing to III
crease his reputation and the Prime Minister
at his advanced age cannot be expected to re-
tain the CHARACTERISTIC Of the Exchequer and
At the same time continue to lead the Commons
and to conduct the Government. In this way
vacancies are artiiciaIly created and an impetus
is given to that most fascinating OF political
Observation-Disclosures making The inyalids,
however, have unrvalled powers of c0nva-
lescence, the indictments foresee opportunities
for Distinguishing themselves in constructive
legislation during the approaching session,
and the Premier is in such robust health that
neither the responsibilities nor the labOrs of
public life seem to fatigue or harass him. AS
for the actual vacancies, there is apparently
only one to be fill, d, for when Lord Spencer
became Lord Lieutenant of Ireland he was
assured that he could retain his place in the
Cabinet. The position vacated by Mr.. Bright
is the one which remains, and as many as eight
candidates have been assigned to the Office by
the London press.
The most credible rum0r is that which
connects Lord Derby's name with some
place in the Cabinet, especially as it is
currently reported that Mr.. GOschcn has
declined. OF the two, the Lancashire peer
would be the safer ana stronger political
associate. while Mr.. Goschen, as Il former
diplomatst and specialist in Egyptian finance,
would carry INTO the Cabinet accurate know
ledge intellectual vigor and unrivalled in
huence, and be of inestimable service in the
settlement of questions arising at Cairo, he
would he looked upon ~ the special representa-
tive of bOndholders interests; and although he
might be able to overcome lis scruplcs in re-
gard to an extension Of County suffrage he
would be an inconvenient ally whenever the
ground should be cleared for that great re-
form. Lord Derby, on the other hand is one
of those mo ierate and cautious men whom the
mass of the English public delights to honor as
ideal statesmen for critical times. SO long as
he remained in Lord Bcaconsfeld's Cabinet,
not only the stad old-iashioned deliberate
Conservatives, but the \ ,tion at large, with
its sober, practical instincts, had positive as.
surance that the Government would not lose its
scf-possession and dag the country into the
abysses Of European war. With his repnta-
ton for GOODNESS, common sense and patriot
ism, his resignation was a loss from which an
erratic and imaginative Premier never recov-
cred. His presence in the Liberal Cabinet
wOuld inspire the moderate men of bath parties
with confidence that no decision respecting
either Egypt or Ireland would be reached With
ont sober reflection and deliberate Judgment.
Advanced Liberals, moreover, would not he
embarrassed 10y his presence in the Cabinet, for
he evinced progressive tendencies when he was
Conservative Minister, and in his cOntribu-
tions 10 periodical literature he has proposed
radical remedies for Irish discomfort
The appointment of Lord Beaconsfeld's For
eign Secretary as the successor of Mr.. Bright,
the most popular member of tne Liberal Cab
met, would be under any conditions one of the
most curious transitions in English politics.
There are certain circumstances, however.
which would render his succession peculiarly
interesting. Why did Lord Derby leave the
PLANTATION of hi. secession when Lord Beacons-
field returned in triumph from Berlin along n
pathway strewn with flowers. 1t was because
he had dIssented, Immediately after the Russian
advance upon CoDstantnOple from the drcis.
ION of the Government to seize naval station
III the Eastern Mediterranean, consisting of
Cyprus aud point on the mainland in SYRIA.
This seizure, as he reiterated in the House of
Lords after the fiery Marquis of Salisbury had
cOntradlcted and insulted him. WAS To hnve
been made by secret expedition from India
without the consent of the Sultan, That nIan
was modified after his retirement. for fine
station III syria was given up and Cyprus WAS
obtained by secret treaty without tb4 a,J
OF an expedition from India. But mark what
has been deliberately planned and execnted Inv
a Liberal Administration since the downfall of
Lord Beaconsied. Egypt has been invaded Inv
columns from England as well as India and
is now heavily garrisoned, and this seizure. if
not made by secret expedition, but openly
and with elaborate system and heavy arma-
ments, was Ill direct opposition to the Sultan's
wishes No treaty was concluded, as was done
in the case OF Cyprus. He was alternately
coaxed and inundated, and finally was forced
to stand by aud look Oh, while British army
was de>poilng him Of his influence in Epypt.
w nat Lord Beaconsfeld meditated in secret was
in comparison with Mr.. GIad-
stones aImaments, campaign aud Iesponsitil-
tiles; yet Lord Derby, VINO refused to sanction
the Cyprus intrigue, would be justiled in iuin.
ing the Liberal Government, which has con-
quered Egypt. He would be Justified because
that Government, while renvigorated by
diplomatic and military achievements resem-
bling Lord BeacOnstield's foreign policy, cannot
DO taupted with meddlesomeness, false pre-
fences and JingOism. What it has done it has
done under the pressure Of necessity and in the
interest Of enlightened policy, and not in q