Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-05-11
GLADsTONEs LATEST SURPRISE.
Chamberlain Disappointed ut Receiving
No Offers of Concessions.

Special Cable Dispatch TO THE EVENING STAR
LONDON, May 11.-Gladstone can always he
counted upon for surprise nowadays. Latterly
his surprises have been in the wrong direction.
Last night his surprise was of most striking
character. Word had gone out all over the coun-
try that in view of the widespread liberal opin-
ion in favor of retaining the Irish members at
Westminster Gladstone was prepared to intro
duce great notifications into his bill, and so Sc
cure the support of Chamberlain and his follow
ers for the second reading. Yesterday morning
a leading member of the government and a
cabinet minister both assured me that this was
to be the case, and all danger OF the bill being
defeated was, therefore, at end. Events
showed, as has been so frequently the case with
Gladstone, his colleagues knew nothing about
his real intentions. Chamberlain's organ an
nounced the same thing,and everybody believed
it, and rejoyced accordingly. Chamberlain
himself came down to the house all smiles and
prepared graciously to receive the concessions
Nothing of the sort happened. Gladstone's al
fusion to the crucial question of the retention
1.-THE Irish members was heard in dead silence
When it was realized that he had laborously
LEFT THINGS MUCH WHERE THEY WERE
before, only adding that the government would
be open to consider any suggestions made in
the subsequent committee on the bill, i'm
mense disappointment ran around the house.
Chamberlain had prepared to speak, accepting
the terms. One of his supporters had arranged
to follow him. Everything was upset by Glad
stones speech. Labouchere, who, as usual, had
acted as the go-between for the government
and the various sections OF its opponents, came
out into the lobby complaining that
HE HAD BEEN MADE A FOOL. OF.
For some time the excitement ran quite high.
All Chamberlain's supporters unhesitatingy
declared he would not accept Gladstone's state
ment, but would vote against the second read
ing. Ii he does the bill cannot be carried I'M
less some great change sets in during the ne Nt
few days. Even the principle OF home rule
must therefore be regarded as in the gravest
peril.
The house was not nearly so full last night as
on previous occasion. The Prince of Wales sat
in his place over the clock. In the diplomatic
gallery were Minister Phelps whose presence
has become a regular feature at these debates.
Gladstone looked old and pale, but a large
bright red rose in his buttonhole gave him a
festive air. GladstOne's address was speech,
not an oration-a series OF disjointed thrusts
and parties, as If one Were = spectator OF "a
duel with words, and could see only ore of
the combatantS. 1t was full OF episram-
matte sentences, which delighted his hearers
His definition OF a country destitute OF social
order was lone where the radical sentiment OF
the people Is not in sympathy with the law"
He said that Canada did not get home rule
friendly because she got home rule. We APP
peal for help in aboiShing Irish discomfort neck
and crop, root and branch, and if L may VEN
tGre to employ again "A phrase which has had
its day. we desire TO abolish discomfort bag and
baggage"
Hartington's speech was essentially a dull
one. The cheers from the tory benches were
evidently forced ones. When harrington be-
to home rule in general and this bill in par tic
ular IA good many honorable members seemed
to recollect they had important engagements
elsewhere. on the part OF Chamberisin's fol-
lowers the bill is dead.