Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-05-28
FOREIGN NEWS.
HOME RULE.
A Meeting at Which Gladstone Proposes
Certain Changes in the Bill-Many of
the Liberals are Expected to Return to
to the Party.
LONDON. Nav u

Inc general liberal meeting called by Glad
stone. asse mbled at the foreign office Thurs
DAY afternoon. The meeting was well at
tended BY the Premier's supporters. but none
OF the known Harrington or Chamberlain dis
sidents were present. Gladstone was cheered
upon entering and at once proceeded 20 the
business on hand and announced that the
government had decided to modify clause "A
of the home rule bill, excluding Irish repre-
sentatives from Westminster. He did not
state what the nature of the promised modifi-
cation was to be, but did state that the gov
ernment had decided to modify the clause.
provided the bill passed the second reading,
ana was referred to select committee for
action during the autumn session of Parlia-
ment.Asau
The meeting cordially approved the posi-
tlon taken bv Gladstone. The Premier's fol-
lowers now express themselves as sanguine
of the success of his Irish policy They do
not speak as if they felt at all that any con-
cesslons have been made to the Chamberlain
and harrington followers, but maintain that
Gladstone has defined government policy in
a way so clear and satisfactory, that liberal
waverers cannot longer withhold their ap-
proval and must rally to the Premier's sup
port. This, it is thought by the government
party, must practically result in the breaking
down of the so-called dissident opposition. as
it will leave no liberal, not actuated by pure
ly personal motives, any further ground for
hostile affiiation.
Later-Giadstone has declared that he
would. at the autumn session of Parliament
introduce an amended Irish home rule bill
number of liberal dissidents who did not
care to risk compromising themselves BY at
tending the meeting, have hailed with undis-
| guised satisfaction the attitude of apparent
cancellation adopted by the Premier. These
now openly proclaim their intention to return
to their party allegiance and vote with the
government for the second reading. Among
the first to announce their return have been
John Fletcher Moulton, radical member of
Parliament for Clapham and Samuel Whit
bread, the liberal member for Bedford. Both
were adherents of Lord Harrington until to-
days meeting.
The general opinion this afternoon is that
the home rule bill will now certainly pass its
second reading.
Two hundred and fifty members of Parlia-
ment attended the liberal meeting called bv
Gladstone today. Gladstone was very vigor-
Gus and animated in his address. He said
that nobody would be committed to the sup
port of the home rule by listening without
protest or objection to what he had to say in
favor of the measure, because he desired the
fullest freedom to prevail in the liberal party
in respect to it. The Irish policy of the govern
ment opponents being certain, the importance
OF settling the Irish question now was inten-
si1ed. 1t had been proposed to settle the
matter by the adoption of the abstract reso-
luton forming the principle of home rule for
Ireland, but Gladstone thought the cause
proposed by the government would answer
better An endeavor had been made to
! a .,rtn tp1n &c n<
Ireland and corral the bill into delusion and
snare. Continuing the premier said The
members who voted for the home rule bill
would by so doing be in no way committed
to the support of the Irish land purchase bill,
the latter being matter which would remain
wholly within the power of the Imperial Parlia-
ment, even after the adoption of the home rule
bill. Concerning the matter of concessions
Gladstone said the government was willing
to submit to Parliament the plan, including
Irish representatives to be invited to attend
Imperial Parliament whenever the proposals
of taxation affecting Ireland were up for con-
sideration Moreover, if the House of Com
mons so wished, the government was ready
to undertake the responsibility of emitting
the Irish to be heard in Imperial Parliament
on imperial or reserved questions. Changes
in the home rule bill to accomplish these re-
culto "ouiu VI Tue
measure. The government therefore thought
after second reading of the BILL it might
be postponed until the autumn session OF
Parliament, or the government might resum-
mon Parliament to an early session in 1887
and again submit the bill with such necessary
amendments as during the interval had been
deemed advisable, without prejudice to the
principle of the bill. Gladstone thought the
latter method a preferable one as it would
give longer time for consideration of the
proposed changes, and the government would
keep the issue fairly before the three nations
whose desire it was to remain united for al
substantial purposes.
At the conclusion of Gladstones address
Lewis Llewlyan Dilwyan, liberal member OF
Parliament for the town of Swansea, arose
and declared that he had been authorized to
speak for Welsh dissidents under certain
contingencies. He now felt justified in max
ing declaration and that was that the con
cessions offered by the Premier were accept
able to Welsh dissidents and were by then
accepted, and that he now assured Gladston,
the united support of all the Welsh members
The meeting adjourned with three cheers fo
Gladstone. This evening some of the lber
ais who attended the meeting say they dom
believe the concessions promised by Glad
stone, although very great, will secure Cham
berlain's support.