New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-31
GREAT BRITAIN.

tics and il ends as il began with o Conservative
Government shulfling between two policies and
alternately concating and intimidating the Island
At the ontset the Salisbury Government were IN
hopeless minority in the Commons. They could
govern the country either by making sweeping con-
cessions to their allies the Parneltes tMr. Glad
stone had confdentially informed them that he
would supportthis policy, or by proposing the re-
enactment of the Crimes Act and thereby securing
the support of Moderate Liberals who were alarmed
by Mr. Cadstone's conversion to Home Rule They
either could not or would not decide upon either
policy. Their Viceroy, Lord Carnarvon. had himself
been convinced of the necessity OF legislative
autonomy. His colleagues condemned his Efforts as
peacemaker and forced HIM to resign on the eve
of tho reassemblng of Parliament The Queens
speech betol1ened coercion and struggle with the
National League. Then there was an interval OF
vacillation. Mr. Smith was appointed Chief Sec
rotary and dispatched to Ireland to report on the
necessity of legislation. After this display of ln
decision the Government suddenly announced
rigorous Coercion bill. Mr. Parnell at once
abandoned his allies of the previous election. An
amendment proposed by Mr.. Ceilings to the adj
dress expressed regret that no measure for
tho relief of the agricultural classes had
been suggested and especially that faciii-
ties for obtaining allotments and small
holdings on equitable terms had not been promised
This amendment was carried January 90. being
supported by 2J5 Liberals and "a Parnellltes, with
only Is Moderate Liberals against 1t. The Sails
bury Government Immediately resigned
The new Government was formed by Prime
Minister whose real Irish policy was an open secret.
Without committing himself to single definite
proposition, Mr.. Gladstone had contrived by vari-
ous expedents to inspire the Parneites with be-
lief that he was prepared to grant Home Rule. So
| I a aio of Moderate
Liberals that their leaders, Lord Harrington and
Sir Henry James, declined to euter the Ministry.
Lord Sp ncer became member of 1T. having be-
come convinced that Home kule was necessary.
Mr.. MOrleY's appointment as Chief Secretary tor
Ireland clear indication of what Mr.. Glad
stones policy was to be, but Mr.. Chamberlain and
Mr. Trevelyan failed to interpret 1t Alright and took
Office greatly TO the astonishment of their friends
Lord Rosebery went TO the Foreign and Lord Gran
vile to the Colonial Office; Sir William Harcourt
accepted the Chancellorship of the Exchequer; and
the remaining seats in the Cabinet were distri ou;ed
among former Liberal Ministers. No sooner
was the Cabinet formed than rumors
of designations were started. Mr. Gladstone
had to propose final settlement of the land ques-
ton before he could hope to induce his colleagues
| to acquesce in Home Rule. If he had neglected to
do this Lord Spencer aud Mr.. Morley would have
retired But when he Brought forward scheme
for land purchase at the expense of the Exchequer
| Mr. Chamberlain and Mr.. Treveyan were alarmed
by the bill of cost. After protracted attempts to
unite the Cabinet on the question OF tlo ne hue
and land purchase, these two Ministers resigned
their places being filed by Mr.. Stansfed and Lord
Dalhousie. The secession of the Radical leader
betokened the ultimate failure Of Mr. Gladstone's
| irish measures.
| The Home Rule bill was introduced April 8. The
Prime Minister justified his measure mainly on the
| ground that British law In ireland had an alien
| aspect and that it necessary. coercion having
repeatedly failed, to put legislation and admin
Istration in Irish hands IN order to insoire
| national confidence. The legislature which he
proposed was to consist of 2O6 Comm Dners and
higher order Of 1913 members inclnding twenty
eight representative Irish peers and seyenty-fve
associates elected with q high property quali6ca-
ton. Ireland was noe to be represent ted at Vest
minister; and It's own legislature was to be pro-
hbted from establishing any religion interfer-
ing with the army and navy. customs, excise,
coinage legal tender or any of the prerogatives of
| the Crown. The bill was read for the first time
| after hostile speeches from Mr. Treveyan, Mr.
| Gosehen, Mr.. Chamberlain, and Lord Harrington,
| The Land Purchase bill was then introduced.
| The debate on the seeoud reading ofthe Home Rule
| bill was protracted until June 10 Public meet
ings m opposition to Mr.. Gladstones measures were
| held In many ClbleS anu q powerful LlDer-
ais under Lord Harrington and Mr. Chamberlain
arrayed themselves against it. Meetings OF the
| National Liberal Association and of Liberal
Citations throughout England and Scotland were
held for the purpose of uniting the party in sup
port of Home Rule and of influencing waverers in
Parliament. As the final division approached Mr..
| Gladstone called conference of the party, and Mr.
| Labouchere undertook to effect compromise
whereby the bill could be read q second time The
wayerers invigorated by the firm stand taken by
| Lord Harrington. the logical speeches of MIR.
GOschen and the passionate entreaties OF Mr. Bright
went against the Government. The Home Rule
bill was defeated by a vote of 3t3 TO 3l3, with
only thirteen members absent from tho division.
| The number OF Liberals voting against Mr.. Glad
stone was ninety Mr.. PArnell and the Irish
members had heartily supported the proposed meas
ure
The Government brought the session to a close
as soon as various bills for supply could be passed
| and then appealed to the country. Tho elections
were not concluded until July &c. The Conserva-
tives agreed to support all Liberals who had oted
against the Home Rule bill. and stipulated
| in return that no Liberal Unonist should
be nominated against their own candidates.
! This alliance supported, it was. by an
ample election fund, proved too powerful
for Mr.. Gladstone, ably seconded as he vas by Nr
| Parnel who made personal canvass of English
cities He spoke with great effect in Edinburgh,
Manchester aud Liverpool. but conducted the can
vass almost single handed, his colleagues. with the
exception of Lord Spencer and Mr. Morley. render
ing slight assistance. His appeal to the masses
against the classes failed to excite enthusiasm IL
the costly land purchase bill had not been proposed
as an essential portion o. his scheme English de-
mocracy might have rallied to his support. AS il
was he secured Only 19l seats, which with the
eighty-six Irish seats left him in q minority The
Liberal Unioniss arried seventy eight seats. The
/ Conservatives. while making great gains and OBJ
tanning 3l5 seats. lacked clear majority of the
House. The Irish delegation remained unchanged.
two seats being gained in Londonderry and West
Belfast and many lost In South ndonderry and
o.