The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-28
Mr.. Gladstone Makes Concessions Which, It
Is Believed, Will Result in Bringing the
Bulk of the Liberals to His Support.
The Bill To Be Reconstructed and Ac.
ti0n Postponed Until Next Year.
The French Chamber of Deputies Votes Ur-
gency for Bill Ordering Expulsion Of the
Princes General News by the Cables.
THE LIBERAL CONFERENCE.
Mr.. Gladstone Makes Concessions Which, II
Is Thought, VIII Be Satisfactory.

Mr. Gladstone Makes Concessions Which, It
Is Thought WIN Be Satisfactory.
LONDON. May 27-The general Liberal meet
ing called by Mr.. Gladstone, assembled at the
Foreign Office this afternoon. The meeting was
well attended by the Premier's supporters, but
none of the known Harrington or Chamberlain
dissidents were present Mr.. Gladstone was
cheered when he entered. He at once proceeded
to the business on hand. and an
nounced that the government had decided
to modify the clause No. "a of the home
rule bill excluding Irish representatives
from Westminster He did not state what the
nature of the promised modification was to be,
but did state that the government had decided
to modify the clause, provided the bill passed its
second reading aud was referred to a select COM
mittee for action during the autumn session Of
Parliament The meeting cordially approved
the position taken by Mr.. Gladstone. The
Premiers followers now express themselves as
sanguine of the success of his Irish policy. They
do not speak as ii they feel that any conces-
sions have been made to the Chamberlain
and Harrington followings, but maintain that
Mr.. Gladstone has defined the governments
policy in way SO clear and satisfactory that the
Liberal waverers can no longer withhold their
approval and must rally to the Premiers sup
port. This, it is thought by the government
party, must result in practically breaking down
the so-caled dissident opposition, it will leave
no Liberal not actuated by purely personal mo-
tives any grounds for hostile feelings. Mr..
Gladstone declared that he would, at the autumn
session of Parliament introduce an amended
Irish home rule bill.
number of the Liberal dissidents who did
not care to risk compromising themselves by at
tending the meeting have hailed with undis-
euised satisfaction the attitude of apparent con-
ciliation 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 frst to an
nounce their return have been Mr. John Fletcher
Moulton, Radical member of Parliament for
Clapham, and Mr.. Samuel Whitbread. Liberal
member for Bedford. Both were adherents
of Lord Harrington before to days meeting,
and both have since announced themselves as
supporters of Mr. Gladstone. Mr.. Whitbread's
accession is perhaps the most influential that
the Premier could have desired. He is the gem
tleman referred to as a wise counselor by Mr..
Gladstone in his great speech introducing the
home-rue bill on the 9Th of April; and by rea-
son of his high character and sound Judgment,
has long been a conspicuous member of the
Liberal party. Besides the above named, q
number of other dissidents have openly pro-
nounced themselves satisfied with Mr.. Glad
stones present attitude and the concessions he
has promised to make, and declared their inten-
tion to vote for the second reading. The gen.
eral opinion this afternoon is that the home
rule bill viii. now certainly pass the second
seading.
Two hundred and fifty members Of Parlia-
ment attended the meeting. Mr.. Gladstone
was very vigorous and animated in his address.
He said that nobody would be committed to the
support of the home erule bill by listening with
out protest or objection TO what he had to say
in favor of the measure, because he desired the
fullest freedom to pre- vail in the Liberal party
in respect to it. Lord Salisbury's recent speech,
In which he said the business of England in
Ireland was to govern, had decided
the condition of the controversy, be-
cause he was the official spokesman Of
the opposition. The Irish policy of the
governments opponents being, therefore coer-
cion, tho importance of settling the Irish Ques-
tion now was intensified 1t had been proposed
to settle the matter By the adoption Of an abb
stract resolution affirming the principle of home
rule for ireland, but Mr. Gladstone thought the
course proposed by the government would an
swer better. An endeavor had been made to
emasculate the principle of autonomy for Ire-
land and convert the bill into delusion and
snare. Continuing, the Premier said the MEM
bers who voted for the honle-rule bin would, by
doing go. 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 Parliament,
even after the adoption of the home-rule
bill Let those who said the concession of home
rule to Ireland would impair the imperial au-
thority remember that the imperial Parliament
was unable to divest itself of its power, which
belonged to the nation. Mr.. Gladstone warmly
eulogized Lord Harrington, who he said, pos
sessed integrity and manliness. The Premier,
however, at point during his speech mado
any allusion to Mr.. Chamberlain. Concerning
the matter Of concessions, Mr.. Gladstone said
the government was willing TO submit to Par
lament plan emitting Irish representatives 20
be invited TO attend the imperial Parliament
whenever proposals of taxation affecting Ire.
land were up for consideration Moreover,
if the House Of Commons SO wished, the govern
ment WAS ready to undertake the responsibility
of emitting the Irish TO be heard in the imperial
Parliament on imperial reserved questions
Changes in the home-ruls bill to accomplish
these results would. however, entail recon
struction OF the measure The government
therefore, thought that after the second reading
of the bill it might be postponed until
the autumn session of Parliament or the
government might reassemblo Parliament
to an early session in 1887, and then again sub
nit the bill, with such necessary amendments as,
during the interval, had been deemed advisable
without prejudice to the principle of the bill.
Mr.. Gladstone himself thought the latter meth
cd ghe preferable one as it would give longer
time for the consideration of proposed changes.
and In the meantime the government would
keep the issue fairly and clearly before the peo-
pe of the three nations. whose desire 1t WAS. he
hoped, 10 remain united Tor all substantial pur.
poses.