New-York tribune., 1886-03-21
THE TRyBUyE,S CABLE LETTERS.

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THE TRIBUNE'S CABLE LETTERS.
THE TRIBUNE's remarkable series of cable
letters published during the last week Is
followed to- day by an exhaustive review OF the
situation by our regular London correspond
ent. The magnitude of the crisis In Engllsh
affairs has justified the financial outlay which
these elaborate special dispatches have IN
volved. Mr.. Labouchere's estimate of the
immediate effect of Mr. Chamberlain's Tesigna-
ton and his forecast of the future OF Radical
ism formed a most important contribution to
the political literature of the time. Slgnlhcant
and interesting as his letter was, the interview
with Mr. Parnel published in yesterdays issue
completely ecllpsed it in importance. READERS
of THE TRIBUNE were allowed to know what
is passing in the Irish leaders mind, when his
reflections and purposes are as much OF a
mystery in Dublin as in London. Our we'll
informed regular correspondent, telegrap phlng
Yesterday, repeated the vague cOnjecturcs that
were current in Westminster respecting Mr..
Parnell's views of the ultimate effect OF Mr..
Chamberlain's revolt against Mr.. Gladstone
In our own columns the Home Rule leader had
already told, without equivOcatiOn and in
minute detail, what everybody III London and
Dublin was anxious to know.
The most important point which Mt
Labouchere, Mr. Parnen and our London cor
respondent have in turn discussed is the abinty
of the Prime Minister to carry his Irish pro-
gramme with Mr. Chamberlain heading a
Radical revolt against it. Mr.. LabOuchcre
while lamenting W hat he describes rs an unfor-
tunatc schsm in the democratic movement in
England considers that Mr.. Chamberlain has
made serious mistake in dcserting Mr..
Gladstone and that he will impair his influence
and authority IN the Radical party, Mr..
Smalley represents Nh Gladstone as sanguine
that Mr.. Chambcrlain's detection will be as
harmless as the Duke of Argylrs Withdrawal in
1851; but adds that experienced judges OF
English politics, like Mr.. Bright and Mr.
Forster, do not agree with the Prime Minister
while Mr.. Chamberlain himself Is confident
that he can defeat Home Rule in the House and
array the Liberal constituencies against 1t In a
general election. Mr.. ParncIl, on the other
hand, believes that Nj. Gladstone can carry his
measures without Mr.. Chamberlain's aid, and
that a direct appeal to the country on the
question of Home Rule will result in the return
of a majority over the Tories of 40 Liberals
and Nationalists combined. He estimates that
the Liberals with the Irish vote would regain
seventy seats which were lost in the last
electon and be defeated in as many by reason
of Wing ana Radical detection, the balance of
parties remaining much as it is now.
Our own Judgment is that Mr.. Chambcrlain's
political power with the English constituencies
is undercstmated by both Mr.. Gladstone and
Mr.. Parncl. UnQuestiOnably he is unpopular
with the members of the House, as Mr.. Parnell
asserts; but the caucus so far az 1t has been
introduced in England is his device and a large
number of members owe their nominations
directly to him. 1t was to his practical talent
for organization that the Liberal party were
largely indebted for their success in 1850, and
his appeals 10 the new electors in the rural con-
stituencies alone saved Mr.. Gladstone from
disastrous defeat last November That he
would have Il vastly diminished authority in
consequence of his desertiOn Of the Prime
Minister is certain; but in appealing to the
constituencies on popular issue of hostility
to an enormous increase of the national debt,
he would still have great resources in reserve
for a faction fight against Mr.. Gladstone's Irish
policy Mr.. Chamberlain is the uncrowncd
King of the Caucus, as Mr.. Parneli is the un-
crowned King Of Ireland. There is no political
organizer Oh INC llocI'u Sluc WIN "a" 'OIHP'O'
with him. Mr.. Gladstone il Old age and with
failing voice cannot afford to dcspise his asso-
cates power when it is pittcd directly against
his own political authority. But Mr.. Parnell Is
right in one respect. If Mr.. Chamberlain is
opposing Home Rule from Il desire to obtain
the aid of Irish members at Westminster in
carrying ont the Radical programme, ne will
have little cause to rejoice if he succeeds III
defeating Mr. Gladstone in the Commons or
before the country. The Irish members would
not forgive him in twenty years, and re-
vulsion of feeling would ultimately be caused
even among English Radicals against the man
who had prevented the reconciliation Of
England and Ireland.