New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-04
NOTES FROM LONDON.
THE CRIMES AoT-rHE COLONIES.


''AoA The REGULAR coRREsPoSDEST OF THE TRrDuHn.l
Oil, LONDON, May Y.
otories about Lord Spsnoers immediate resigna-
'ion are once more flying about. They are hardly
worth contradctng. 1t Is safe TO say you will
near Them repeated often Irish business brings
niii 70 London. The basis on which they are sup
posed 10 rest is the alleged controversy the Cabi-
no' ABOUT the renewal of the Crimes Act for Ire
ia1u. NO doubt there is party in tho Cabinet
WHICH thihks 1t possible to govern Ireland without
INC safeguards which that Act provides. 1t seems
W oe understood that the Act will not be renewed
as whole. The controversy, far as 1t exists,
turns on the question what provisions should
Do continued, aud what can prudently be
suffered to lapse. writer who is supposed to de-
rive MS inspiration from Mr.. Chamberlain, tells us
'hat The clauses on which Lord Spencer sets the
greatest value are those which provide change of
venue Tor tho trial of crimes at the discretion of
the. Attorney-GeDeral which regulate the con-
sfltution of special juries; and which enablet resi-
dent magistrates to try under tho Summary
Jurisdiction Act without sending them to jury
Perhaps Mr. Chamberlain is not the best authority
on Lord Spencer, but he is very good authority on
Mr. Chamberlain. If these are not what Lord
Spencer wants, or all he wants, they may we'll be
what Mr.. Chamberlain and Mr.. Parnell most dis
like.
That Lord Spencer will ultimately resign
If he is deprived of the means
he thinks essential for the good of Ireland may be
taken for granted. He is not man to accept re-
sponsbilitY without power. But everything
points to a compromise on the Crimes Act. This Is
Cabinet of Compromise. if not Cabinet of Con-
cesSions. The compromises begin inside Of it, and
extend thence all the face of the world. They
will extend to Ireland. What exact shape they
will take Is not yet settled but soon must be- Mr..
Chamberlain has no objection to compromises,
especially when they consist chiefly of concessions
by his opponents. He would be willing, it seems,
to renew certain clauses of the Act for one
year instead of three. lie would accompany the
renewal with that modified form of Homo Rule
known as a Local Government Bill bill which
may or may not in fact, answer to the aspirations
of the Nationalist party. The chief idea of the
measure would be to substitute election for APP
pontment. County Boards for Grand Jures and
central council in Dublin to be chosen by the local
boards. So says another paper to which Mr.. Cham
berlans friends sometimes supply suggestions Any
such measure would in any be left TO the next
Parliament to pass or to reject. The Irish Con-
seryatiye papers are disposed to think that some
thing like Kmainham Treaty is once more in con-
temptation. But do not myself believe that the
Cabinet and Mr. Parncl will come to terms.
An interesting llttlc incident which TOOK place
last week in a London house throws a FAINT side
light the very important question the relations
between Russia and Persia The Persian Minister
and NJ. Lcssar happened 10 be in the same drawing
ROOM and ". Lcssar asked his hostess to introduce
him to Prince Malcolm Khan. To the surprise OF
the hostess and 10 the CONSERVATION Of NJ. Lcssar.
the Prince refused TO make VI. Lessar's acquant
ancc such "A refusal is SO unusual that the immedi-
ate inference drawn from II ~ that Russian initu-
cncc is at this moment much less potent in Persia
than has been commonly supposed.
A great authority on constitutional law. Mr..
ODonnen asked lately in the House Of Commons
whether the New South Wales Ministry had any
legal authority 10 send contingent Of armed men
10 carry on hostile operations in that part of the
Ottoman Empire called the Soudan. Mr.. Ashley
answered that there was at the time no legal
authority but that the Government of New South
Wales took the responsibility. and then applied to
the Legislature TO sanction their act, which the
Legislature chccrfully did. 81 should like TO
quote" observed Mr.. Ashley, "what Mr.. Daley,
the Colonial Secretary. said in TO criticisms
on his conduct This is what Mr.. Daley SAID:
1--WE prefer, thank God. slight constitutional
impropueties to the abandonment OF duty, The
neglect of great opportunities, aud we prefer the
glory OF giving noble example"
Tho House Of Commons, with all its intense re-
spect for precedent and form. chcorod that senti-
meut loudly And they chccred louder still when
Mr.. Maciarlane asked whether the Australians had
volunteered for India il required; and Mr. Ashley
answered, Yes sir, they have So that, on the
whole Mr. ODonnclrs well-meant efforts in behalf
Of the colonial constitution had but little result
He has no backing poor man. Mr.. Parncll has cast
him of, and no other leader has thought IL worth
while to enlist tho member for Dung1rvan under
his banner. II There be no other result from the fit
full efforts Of this Government to support its uncer-
tain policy by arms the demonstration of colonial
good will which they have called out will long IN
lucnce the fortunes Of the Empire. While Aus
ralla and Canada ere ready to fight for It, whether
in Egypt OF India. few Englishmen at home W
venture to say that the Empire is not worth pre-
serving. q. w. S.
LOYALTY TO JOHN RELLR