Huntsville gazette., 1885-07-04
FOREIGN NEWS.
The Transformation In the British
Cabinet Completed.

|
istration-Irish. Egyptian and Afghan
Affairs Requiring Acknowledgements
| ton to Lord Churchill.
LONDON, June 28-The transformation
scene Is ended; yesterday the last Depart
ment OF State held by the Liberals was
surrendered, and now every public office
in the British Empire is under Tory rule
as effectively as though the country had
been appealed to by general election and
returned the Conservatives to power by a
triumphant majority. The difference be-
tween ministry backed by a majority
and Cabinet working with minority
vote will be appreciated after the reas-
sembling of Parliament on the 9Th Of July.
| Opposition at the polls to ministers who,
as members of the House of Commons,
must seek reelection on taking office Is
threatened, but such threats are invaria-
bly, made and rarely carried into effect.
Seats are always waiting to be vacated
for ministers who fail of reelection.
THE TASK BEFORE THEM.
LONDON, June 2S.-The new Cabinet
have to decide between this and the 9Th
on the budget, the Egyptian occupation,
the crimes act, the remaining legislativ
work of the session and the resumption
of negotiations with Russia. The budget
will probably remain untouched with
the exception of the spirit and beer du-
ties, which, of course, are to be aban-
doned. The deficit, If there should be
any, may be spread over series ofyears,
The advice of Sir Stafford Northcote, who,
as First Lord of the Treasury, controls
the exchequer, an influential element
in the Cabinet, favors the imposition OF a
light duty on wheat, barley, Indian corn
and agricultural products chiefly i'm
ported from the United States. The pro-
posal has been widely discussed in
the leading Conservative constitu-
encies, the leaders have ad-
mitted it comes within the
sphere of practical politics and its advo-
Gates cannot be refused hearing. In
his last great practical speech in Devon
shire the new First Lord of the Trea sury
| acknowledged that the whole subject of
| duties on imports had arrived at stage
justifying inquiry with view to legisla-
| tive action.
IRISH TROUBLES.
Ireland's crop is an important factor
in the financial proposals OF the new
| Cabinet. There are scores of starving
hamlets on the west and south coasts,
which, with a trifling expenditure for
harbor, and other public works, and
small grants to enable the local authori-
ties to assist the people to develop the
fisheries, might soon become prosperous
| and contented.
EGYPT.
The decision of the Cabinet on the
question of retirement from Egypt is
awaited with confidence. Public opinion
is satisfied that Lord Salisbury may be
trusted to safely guard the material and
political interests Of the empire in this
particular branch OF foreign politics.
The dispatch of Sir Henry Hammond
Wolff, sent to Egypt on special mission,
is significant. Wolff is the chief confdant
Quoted the whole of the correspondence
with Egypt, on which the noble Lord was
enabled to base the conspicuously bitter
attacks on the late Government on their
Egyptian policy. VOLTS diplomatic
career in Turkey and the East un-
der the Beaconsfeld regime placed
him on footing of intimacy with every
clement favorable to British ascendancy
The transfer of his party to the opposi-
ton benches left in his hands means for
embarrassing the Government, possessed
bv no other living man. His information
from the inception OF British troubles in
Egypt pointed to conspiracy and treach-
cry against England on the part OF nearly
every member of the Egyptian Govern
ment, from the Khedive down, and grave
ly compromised French officials. He now
goes to Egypt armed with special powers
to conduct secret inquiry for the guld
ance of a Cabinet in full sympathy with
his views and backed by the most active
and aggressive Minister of the present
reign.
With Wolff in Egypt on a special mis-
sion, Churchill, his immediate chief, at
the head of the India Office, the depart
ment chiefly interested in Egypt, and
Lord Salisbury at the Foreign Office and
holding the Premiership, it is taken for
granted that there will be no scuttling
out of Egypt, or, for the matter OF that,
out of any country where the British flag
flies until scuttling is ascertaincd to be
Indispensable and unavoidable.
FATHER AND SON.
The fact that Sir Henry Drummond
Wolf is an ardent admirer of Ismail
Pasha, the ex-Khedive, is used as an ar
gumcnt in favor of the theory that siren
uous efforts Will now be made to depose
the son and restore the father to the
throne. There is no doubt that Ismail
is resorting to every means in his power
to accomplish this result; but inasmuch
as his inordinate ambition and reckless
extravaganza brought so much ruin in
the country, it is not believed that his
scheme will be successful.
AFGHAN AFFAIRS.
On the Afghan question the new Cabi-
net starts with an immense advantage
over the "outs" in the fusion of the
offices of Prime Minister and Foreign
Secretary. Granville was never able to
see clearly through Gladstone's specta-
cles. Salisbury's supremacy in the direc-
ton of foreign affairs will be unques-
toned so long as he carries the Secretary
of State for India with him. Lord Ran
dolph Churchill is the only member of the
Cabinet likely to take hrm stand
<ho;-