New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-12-27
MIR G11DSTOyES CONCESSIONS.


The crisis in the relations of England and
Ireland Is clearly explained in our cable letter.
Mr.. Gladstone has temporarily abandoned
position which became untenablc when the
leaders of all schools of thought in the Liberal
party declined to follow him. His diplomatic
refusal to accept the responsibility for any and
every version of his Irish programme is a con-
fession that he cannot command Immediately
the support of the bulk of his party He has
not denied that he is himself prepared to accept
the principle of home rule in a final settlement
of the Irish question. fie may discaim respon-
sbility for the text and details of the scheme,
but he has gone too far to recdnt the essential
fact of his conversion to Mr.. ParnelPs policy.
There are two comprehensive results Of the
premature disclosure of his views. First. the
breach between the Conservatives and the Par
nellites has been widened and Lord Salisbury
has bedn deprived of support without which he
cannOtt hope to conduct a strong and stable
Government. Secondly. the Liberals cannot
return to Office under any leader except Mr.
Gladstone, aud he cannot at present form a
Cabinet which will accept home rule. These
results will multiply Mr.. Parnelfs opportunity
ties for blocking legislation and exercising
irresponsible dictatorship.
An important detail of the situation appears
in our London correspondents dispatches.
While there were no direct negotiations be-
tween Mr.. Gladstone and Mr.. Parnell, there
was a full exchange of views between sub0r-
dinates on both sides leading finally to COM
plete deadlock on the question of the veto
power. Apparently this was one Of the re-
sanctions upon which Mr.. Gladstone strenu-
ousy insisted. An Irish Parliament was not TO
be constituted without the reserved right of the
British Parliament to veto hostile or dlsiOyal
legislation, and to decide in the last resort
whether jurisdiction had been exceeded. In
the judgment of English statesmen. home rule
cannot be distinguished from separation unless
there are certain guarantees of TINS nature.
The Irish members for their part cannot
accept parliament that is not pTacti-
calIy independent. A national debating society
at Dublin would only be dc pissed by the Irish
people. Mr.. PaTnell would frItter away his in
hucnce and surrender his position if he were
TO consent TO IA legislative assembly that could
not take up the land and other questions and
settle them in the Irish way without interfer-
ence from London. The Irish members have
already large privileges of debate at Westmn-
ster. They will have more or they will have
nothing. They want substantial power, if they
transfer Their political energies to Dublin.
They cannot afford to take any thlng less. This
question OF imperial safeguards and legislative
limitations is the vital one in the controversy
between England and Ireland.
The fact that the deadlock in the negotiations
occurred at this very point proves that Mr.
Gladstone has not yet proposed solution that
will satisfy Mr.. Parnel. lie has been fishing
in troubled waters and caught his hook III
large snag. Another and more scientific cast
will be required