New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-30
THE TORY DIFFICULTY.

The TRIBUNE's cable yesterday threw new
light upon the resignation of Lord Randolph
Churchill, and showed that his course in the
matter was not as regardless of official prece-
dent as it appeared when first announced.
This, however, has no bearing upon the Tory
diff Guilty, Lich not only continues to be grave,
but becomes less capable of adjustment from
day to day. Whatever hope may have been
entertained that Lord Harrington could be per-
suaded to take office under Lord Salisbury is
apparently abandoned, and many leading
Tories have turned their attention to the dis
covery of some compromise whereby Churchill
may be- brought back into the Cabinet The
feeling indicated is expressive of the profound
embarrassment which prevails. 1t is to the
| effect that the Government can get on neither
with moi without Churchill and a more des-
perate situation than that it Is difficult to
imagine. When the case is looked into the
prospect of effecting any kind of a CON promise
which will last even until Parliament meets in
February is seen TO be disco uraging also. Sal
sbury is not less fixed in his views than
Churchill and unless the latter can be brought
TO recede from the position taken on his resig-
nation a reconciliation seems unlikely.
The practical demand of the late Chancellor
of the Exchequer was for complete subordi
nation of the policy of the Government to " hat
lie considered the needs of his own political
consistency. Salisbury must have abdicated in
yielding to him, and Cabinet reconstruction
would inevitably have followed. The difficulty
of the case was increased by the fact that the
army and navy estimates to which Churchill
objected We're for purposes of defence the
necessity of which public opinion generally
recognizes. Virtually, therefore, Churchill re-
quired hat policy which the nation approved
should be abandoned to crafty his individual
whims and to serve his personal interests
Concession to such programme could only
have weakened the Government, nor is it prob
able that Ministers would have been able to
IL aintain the line of false economy prescribed
tn them. On the other hand, the Tories cannot
do without Churchill in their present dearth of
leaders, AMI the impossbility of making any
working alliance with Lord Harrington and the
Liberal UniOnists becomes constantly palmer.
1t is not so much that the Tories could not
stomach Harrington as that harrington cannot
stomach the Tories. Besides, if they admit
that he is necessary to them they must give him
at least halt the Cabinet and then what is to
become OF q distinctive Tory policy.
The refusal of Lord Harrington to Join the
Government throws them back upon the
Churchill problem. There can be little doubt
that if Salisbury were free to do as he pleased
he would prefer to consider that recourse az
absolutely excluded. In fact, he has said as
much to the Cabinet. But it is either Churchill
OF dissolution, aud perhaps dissolution will
have 70 come in any case. Lord Harrington
may secure the Government the support of bis
fot hi fr,o in tIa
session. but more than this is necessary to carry
on the Government. The Irish question is for
midable, but questions of foreign policy are
liable to supersede it in the spring, and to deal
with them u harmonious Cabinet will DO re-
quired and a well-oi ganized Government cam
paign In the House, under the guidance Of ]