New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-01-28
THE INGLISH CRTSIS.

Lord Salsbury's Government perceived too
late the necessity of immediate action in relation
to Ireland. The new Chief Secretary, Mr. Smith,
has never been regarded rs an energetic states
man. On the contrary, he has had the rcputa-
ton of being as labOrious and deliberate in his
mental processes as in his delivery as a Para
mentary debater. The announcement that the
Ministry would await his decision before pre-
senting any Irish measures was considered
equivalent to an admission that they were un-
prepared to act and would have recourse TO
delay. But. strangely enough, Mr.. Smith
was able to master the intricacies of the irish
question in a few days. The Ministry
abruptly gave notice in both houses of the
immediate introduction of new Coercion Act
for the suppression of the National League, the
prevention of intimidation and presumably of
boycottDg and protection of life and property.
Precedence was asked for this measure,
notwithstanding the fact that the reform of
procedure was given the preference only week
ago.
This sudden display Of energy can be readily
explained. The Ministry had been convinced
that their position was untenable, and that they
might be defeated at any moment. On Monday
night they had majority of only twenty eight
on an amendment relating to land reform and
the next NJ ght their whips were nervously rally
ing supporters and anticipating an adverse vote
in a second division. In order to secure the CO.
operation of the Moderate Liberals they were
forced to take strong ground at once on the Irish
question. They accordingly proposed a more
radical scheme of coercion than the Crimes Act
which they allowed to run out last summer
They naturally preferred to be defeated on the
Irish question rather than some minor issue
But they were outgenerallcd and out
manGuvrcd at every point. In division on a
question affecting the new classes Of voters in
the countles-the very last on which they
would have chosen to be defeated-they were
left in minority of 70, with their Coercion
bill in the air and their hopes of appealing to
the country on the Irish question blasted
Considered merely as matter Of parliament
airy tactics, this result disclOses marked superb
ority on the Opposition side. The Government
in facing Parliament were favored with all the
prestige which the Queens presence and
avowed sympathies could supply but Mr. Glad
stone aud Mr.. Parncll have in single week
driven them out of Office under the most humili-
ating circumstances The Ministry wished to
remain in power long enough to widen the
| breach between the Radicals and the Wings
| and were determined in the last extremity to
| fall on the Irish question Their plans have
| been completely thwarted. There was no
| division i'll reference to the Coercion programme
announced with such precipitatc haste. The
! Irish question was calmly and dspassiOnatcly
discussed by Mr.. Gladstone, Mr.. Parnel and
! Mr.. Sexton. If way was not opened for joint
action by the Liberals and Nationalist, good
feeling was promoted and common interests
were established. Then came the critical
| division on an amendment relating to the relief
of the agricultural classes, who had rescued the
Liberals flom defeat in the general elections.
! 1t was the perfection of political strategy on
| Mr.. Gladstone's side. Radicals and Nationalist
rallied to his support, and only eighteen
Liberals deserted to the Tories.
The conclusion of the whole matter is that
| Mr.. Gladstone must return to power. The de-
| teciOn Of Lord Harrington is the only serious
misfortunei which he has encountered in his
brief and mastery campaign. Mr.. Goschen has
been left in the rear on other occasions, and has
subsequently struggled back into the Liberal
camp. Lord Harrington may be induced to re-
| spOnd to the urgent invitations of Mr. Glad
stone, and will probably prefer to retire from
| Parliament rather than join the Conservatives
| Indeed, the most surprising feature of the pres
ent crisis is the unanimity with which the
Liberals have acted Eighteen is pitiful num-
Der OF Wing deserters. Mr.. Gladstone must
have delivered wonderful speech to stamp