Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-05-27
MODIFICATIONS PROMISED.
Good Results OF the Liberal Confer
ence in London To-day.

GLADSTONE AGREES To REMODEL HIS HOME
RULE BILL AFTER 1T PASSES ITS sECoNI
READING-MANY DISSIDENTS, SATISFIED BY
HIS STATEMENT, AGREE To SUPPORT 1T.
LONDON, May 27.-The general liberal meet
ing called by Mr.. Gladstone assembled at tn,
foreign office this afternoon. The meeting wai
we'll attended by the premiers supporters, bu
none of the known harrington or Chamber
lain dissidents were present. Mr.. Gladstone wa.
cheered when he entered. He at once pro
ceeded to the business on hand and announced
that the government had decided to modify
the clause No. 24 of the home rule bill exclud
ing Irish representatives from Westminster
He did not state what the nature OF the prom
Used modification was to be- but did state that
the government had decided to modify the
clause. provided that the bill passed its second
reading and was referred 10 a select committee
for action during the autumn session OF parlia-
ment
GLADSToNE'S POSITION APPROVED.
The meeting cordially approved the position
taken by Mr.. Gladstone. The premiers follow
ers now express themselves as sanguine OF the
success OF his Irish policy. They do not speak
as if they feel at all that any concessions have
been made to the Chamberlain and harrington
followings, but maintain that Mr. Gladstone
has defined the governments policy in a way
SO clear aud satisfactory That liberal waverers
can no longer withhold their approval and
must rally TO the premier's support. This, it is
in practically breaking down the so-called dis
sident opposition, as IL viii leave no liberal not
actuated by purely personal motives any fur
ther ground for hostile utilization.
AN AMENDED BILL PROMISED.
Mr.. Gladstone declared that he would at the
autumn session OF parliament Introduce an
amended Irish home rule bill. \ number of the
liberal dissidentS who did not care TO risk conn
promising themselves by attending The meet
ing have hailed with undisguised satisfaction
the attitude OF apparent Cancellation adopted
by the premier.
DISSIDENTS RETURNING.
These now openly proclaim their intention TO
return TO their party allegiance ana vote with
the government TOR the second reading. Among
the first to announce their return have been Mir.
John Fletcher Moulton, radical member OF par
lament for Clapham, and MIR. Samuel Whit
bread, liberal member Tor Bedford. Both We're
adherentS of Lord Harrington before to-day s
meeting. Both have since announced them
selves as supporters OF Mr.. Gladstone. Mr..
Whitbread's accession is perhaps the most in
fiuential that the premier could have desired.
He is the gentleman referred To as wise
counsellor by Mr.. Gladstone ia his great speech
Introducing the home rule bill on the Sth of
April: and by reason OF his high character and
sound Judgment, has long been "A conspicuous
member OF the liberal party. Besides the above
named a number OF other dissidents have
openly pronounced themselves satisfied with
MIR Giadstone's present attitude and the cGn-
cessions he mas promised to make and de-
clared their intention TO vote Tor the second
reading.
The general opinion this afternoon is that the
home rule bill will now certainly pass the sec
Ond reading.
STURGEON ANXIOUS ABOUT ULSTER.
The Rev. Mr.. Sturgeon publishes an attack
on MIR. Giadstone's home rule bill. The
preacher asks what has Ulster done to be
cast OFF, and adds: 1.-The whole scheme is full
OF dangers and absurditles, as ii conceived by a
mailman. Yet, am sure that Mr.. Gladstone
believes he is only doing justice and acting for
the good OF all. consider that ne Is making
one of those mistakes only made by great and
well meaning men,"