New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-29
DISTRESS OF THE TORIES.
NO HOPE OF FORMING COALITION
MINISTRY
LIGHT THROWN UPON CHURCHILLs ACTIoN-sMITH
AND CROSS HAD THEIR REvENGE-A RECON-
CIIIATIoN MAY YET DE EFFECTED.
IBY CABLE THE TRIBUNE.1

CTIATIoN MAY YET BE EFFECTED.
IBY CABLE THE TRIBUSE.l
Copyright lss6, North Amertean cable NeTs Co.
LONDON, Dec. ga considerable change is 60
yng on in the relations between the two wings Of
the Tory party the two wings consisting, the fist
OF Lord Randolph Churchill and the second Of the
rest Of the party. The first irritation, which was
very keen in both wings, is subsiding, though
slowly. and the feeling is gaining ground that tnc
quarrel ought never to have been allowed to be-
come public. 1t may still be composed In fact.
q strong effort is making to bring Lord Randolph
Churchill back. The Tories do not believe that
Lord Harrington and his friends will join them
Lord Salisbury, though no positive answer has
come or could have come, from Lord Harrington
is expected TO tell his colleagues at this after
noon's Cabinet meeting that the prospects OF a
coalition Ministry on any basis whatever are
gloomy The difficulties in meeting Parliament
without either Lord Randolph Churchill or Lord
Iartington arc felt by everybody to be almost
insuI cradle Hence. after few days reflection
the Tory mind turns once more toward COM
promise. Lord Randolph on his side begins 10
realize some of the grave consequences OF his
false STEP and a fuller knowledge Of the facts
modifes the opinions of the party leaders respect
linz his resignation.
The actual sequence Of events was this: Lord
Randolph's objections to the Naval and Military
estimates were stated the week before last and
stated so sharply that a split camo near occurring
then. but Lord Salisbury smoothed matters over
temporarily Lord Randolph gave dinner to the
Prince of Wales at the Junior Carlton Club last
Saturday week December 18, and Lord Salisbury
was one of the guests. The party included among
others the Viceroy of Ireland and Mr.. Goscbcn.
The dispute broke out afresh on Monday and Lord
Randolph on that day sent his resignation to Lord
Salisbury, though certainly not expecting 1t
would be accepted without some further attempt
at conciliation Lord Salisbury. who like Lord
Randolph is capable of acting from impulse ac-
cepted it then and there and he forthwith COM
muncated it to the Queen. who received it on
Tuesday morning, that when Lord Randolph
and Lord George Hamilton went to Windsor on
Tuesday afternoon the Queen was already regu
larry in possession of the RESIGNATION, fact which
is not without Importance. Moreover the Queens
intervpn ion was to a certain extent successful
Lord Randolph's demand had been for reduction
in the Naval and Military estimates by no less
sum than fl 800. .0O) the odd 100000 was ar
ranged for in detail. Lord Randolph then asked
that the War Office and Admiralty should each
strike off the lump sum of 100000. Lord George
Hamilton. though no friend of Churchill yield
ing to the Queens persuasion agreed, but Mr.
Smith held out. Lord Salisbury, saying that it
was impossible to oyerrule the War Minister On the
matter, who held it vital 10 the efficacy OF his
own department sided with Mr. Smith. Then 1t
was that Lord Randolph took his final decision,
thinking other door was open TO him.
Mr.. Smith, in fact. in conjunction with Nlscount
Cross was paying off old scores To drive LORD
Randolph to resign was to exact his penalty for
that / ne Of intrigue and INSTRUMENTATION
by which he had himself driven Sir Stafford North
cote out of the House OF Commons and forced MN
and Sir Richard Assheton Cross to accept peerages
mi f,,oll IL, Qi
party under his own leadership. Mr. Smiths
refusal was given on Wednesday and Lord Ran |
dolph the same night sent his announcement OF
resignation to "1he Times His own letter 10
Mr. Buckle. the Editor was supplemented by
personal interview between Mr.. Buckle ana
wellknown friend of the Chancellor of the EX-
cleNucr who explained the situation III 1ul from
I cir point of view. Thus ani not otherwise was
fhc die cast and the Rubicon crossed. The opln-
ion now is that Lord Salisbury, though no party
directly or indirectly to the publication, ought
never TO have allowed matters to 90 so far
Probably though he had definitely accepted The
rcsr.natIon Lord Salisbury hoped that an actual
disruption of the Ministry might somehow be
Weyented
Mistakes having been made on both sides the
question now among practical Tory politicians Is
how to repair the mischief The practical Tory
politician has little desire to see coaluon Min-
istry in any form. anu ne particularly "loHN0S
the idea of a Unionist Ministry with Lord
Harrington as Prime Minister Lord Harrington
would not in any case take Office alone Cabinet
posts would have to be found for two, probably
three. other Cnionists Mr. Matthews is ready to
abandon tie Home Office to Sir Henry James
himself becoming Lord Justice of Appeal. Lord
Iddcs CHS stcn ,th is failing him rapidly ana he
is quite ready to either Lord Salisbury or Mr
lIcschcn take charge of the Forcign Office III Is
doubtful whether these changes are mob imminent
" ha e, or turn events may take. III LORD Kan |
dolrh STAYS ojt embarr; ssmcnts VIII multi ly Oh
every side if hc comes back he will come back |
cn terms which imply mo surrender" either Oh
ord Salsbury's lart or his own. 1Lere VIII pe |
not q surrender, but campromise. Lord Kan |
dolnl's interviews with some friends not directly |
G. INJECTED with politics have convinced or tended |
1, G II incc him that public interest from Con |
bcrNati1e roint of view will be advanced by his |
return to cial life. Any effort in that direction
is surrounded with difficulties but the chances |
TO-DAY arc uat the effort VIII soon take definite
share.