The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-28
THE TORIES In CONFERENCE.
Lord Salisbury Meets and Talks to the
Supporters of the New Ministry.
Which Proposes to Grapple with the Irish
Question by an Extension of Local Self
GOvernment-General News BY Gable.
ENGLAND,s NEW MINISTRY.

ENGLAND's NEW MINISTRY.
Its Offer to Ireland-How Far the Liberal.
Unionists Will Support the Tories.
LONDON, July 27.-The Marquis of Salisbury,
Lord Randolph Churchill and Sir Michael
Hicks Beach had long conference this after
noon Long before the time appointed for the
meeting the Carleton Club building was sur
rounded by large crowd Lord Iddelsigh,
Lord John Manners and Lord Charles
Beresford were welcomed with applause The
Right Hon. w. FL. Smith was cheered heartily
when he arrived, and the applause which greeted
the Marquis of Salisbury, when he made his ap-
pearance, amounted to an ovation. The new
Premier was even more heartily received by the
meeting inside, where he made an address on
the political situation. He congratulated his
hearers on the success of the Conservative party
in the recent election, and dwelt on the wisdom
and necessity of acting in accord with the Lib
eral- Unionists in Irish policy. The Marquis
spoke for twenty minutes. Among the an
nouncements he made was that the Right Hon.
w. II. Smith had been agreed upon as Chief
Secretary for Ireland.
Lord Salisbury having formally announced
that he had accepted the Office of Prime Minis
ter. said that he had on behalf of the Conserva-
tive party, offered the premiership to Lord
Harrington, and that the Queen had approved
the profer. Lord Harrington, however saw fit
to decline the task of forming government, but
he promised, for himself and his colleagues,
that thcy would Loyalty support the
government formed by the Conservatives.
Concerning the nature of this promised
support, the Premier said that Lord Harrington
had given assurances that the Liberal Unionists
would support the Conservative government son
every question concerning the maintenance and
integrity of the empire" So far as the Irish
policy of the government was concerned, Lord
Harrington had promised that the Liberal Tn
ionists would 'give any measure proposed by the
government for redress of Irish grievances most
careful consideration. Concerning this suject,'
said the Premier IT would inform the meeting
that in any scheme of reform contemplated in
the machinery of the Irish question. will do
my best to secure the cooperation of the Mar
quis of Harrington The Liberal Unionists
have reserved to themselves freedom of action
outside these limits, bat need scarcely say that
we reckon on their support against vexatious
and fractions opposition or obstruc-
ton, without the giving of distinct
pledges Reverting to the Irish question
at the conclusion of his speech the Marquis said
Il might say, also, that the Ministry will forth
with prepare bill to grapple with the Irish diff
iculty IN the direction of extended local self
government"
Mr.. Arthur Lotus Fernham, Tory member for
Winchester, here asked what protection would,
in the meantime, be afforded to the ''loyaistss
in Ireland. The Marquis replied that the gov
ernment meant to vigorously enforce the exist
ing laws, and apply for additional powers if
necessary. But it is unwise to discuss that
question before the estimates are finished"
Parliament will reassemble at once and sit
continuously through August for the purpose of
passing the estimates.
Lord Salisbury asked those present to preserve
absolute secrecy concerning all the statements
of government policy he had made, and request
ed the meeting to approve the action taken by
himself and colleagues respecting the line of pro-
posed mutual action between the Conservatives
and the Liberal Unionists The request was re-
ceived with deafening applause.
The Earl of Iddesleigh (Sir Stafford H. North
cote) the Right Hon. Henry Cecil Rakes, member
for Cambridge University; the Right Hon. Sir
John Robert Mowbrey, member for Oxford Uni
versity; Sir Henry Thurston Holland, member
for Hampstead and others, followed Lord Sails
bury, warmly praising and indorsing his efforts
to effect coalition with tho Liberal Unionists,
and speaking with enthusiasm of the new gov
ernment's prospects Lord Iddesleigh was ac-
corded an ovation when he arose to address the
meeting
Mr.. Goschen has declined to coalesce with the
Conservatives on any terms.
report is current in the Army and Navy
Club that the governments first measure will be
the appointment of commission to inquire into
the charges of corruption that have been brought
against the War Department Among those
affected by the charges are Admiral Lord AL.
cester. Mr.. Shaw Lefevre, formerly secretary to
the admiralty. Woodall, surveyor-gene of
ordnance, and White, consulting naval architect
1t is alleged that these officials. as shareholders
in the Armstrong Company, arranged profitable
contracts with the firm.