New-York tribune., 1886-08-12
THE NEWS IN LONDON.
SroTIyG IN BELFAST - POLITICAL LETH-
ARGY.

,oxnov Auc l1-The butchers bill in Belfast
l. a. last heavy enough to attract serious notice in
England. The reports published in the London
n.ne,s are as copious as they are confused. Tho
fnglish and Irish press alike attempt In some
aepree TO turn these appalling caamities to party
pses. They certainly began with conflicts between
Catholics and protestants but there Is no saying
which side began tho hos.ilities. The municipal
authorities acted slugglshly not wisely The police
vero badly handled-so badly that credible wit
nesses now assert that the police provoked more
violence than they Quelied. The animosity
between the rioters especially, say some accounts,
between Protestant riotersl and the police has
become moro deadly than that between the Prot
Dstants and the Catholics.
Accusations are heard against the Mavor and
o.her authorities of Belfast. Mr.. Bggar In a
characteristic speech pronounces the Mayor chiefly
responsible for the disorders. The Daily Nors goes
further back and holds Lord Randolph Churchill
M for execration the true author OF all this
bloodshed. Nevertheless this English organ OF
Home Rule describes the contesting factions at
Belfast as two sets of savages and considers that
worse things mi ght happen for Belfast and Ireland
than little resoutc government just now.
. The Government without stopping to ask who Is
10 blame has acted with energy and decision. IL
has sent heavy reinforcements of police and mil
itary Belfast is now garrisoned by 5000 troops,
who succeed by incessant vigilance in preventing
further outbreaks. Experts consider that the
worst is over but agree that it will be longl before
the troops can be withdrawn.
No intimation gwen to the House OF Commons.
which yesterday adjourned till the 18th, how
long the session would last. The Times to-day
speaks confidently of tie collapse of the threatened
obstruction on the estimates. but admits that there
Y.oo 4i,a Rali iaSt
more vehement than instructive. It's prediction of
very short session is not new. but it makes no
mention of a possible concession to the Opposition
fn the shape of ~ meeting in November. This If
adopted will lie explained as necessary in order to
gain time for passing the new rules of procedure
Lord Randolph Churchill Is or lately was, in favor
of this plan Being the leader of the House he Will
have his way if he persists
The contest in Birmingham between Mr..
Matthews and Mr. Cook is much the most inter-
esting incident in politics. 1t has changed its char
acter since Saturday. The Radical Union was then
supposed to be pledged to support Mr.. Cook whom
his turn was Supposed to be pledged to the Union
ists principles Mr.. Cook subsequently tried to
stradde the fence again as Gladstonian. with the
result of irritating the Radicals who threatened to
vote for Mr.. Matthews. birmingham people say
that the struggle between Mr.. Matthews and Mr.
Mr. Schnadhorst Mr.. Matthews's record IN the
meantime is being overhauled to prove him Home
Ruler. q charge of which in none of his vigorous
and amusing speeches has he yet taken notice
MONDAYS manifesto of the Nationa Liberal Fed
GRAFTON had something to do with the
change Of front In Birmingham 1t is in any case
important as being an official declaration that the
Liberal party has finally committed itself to the
Iolicy Of Home Rule for Ireland An explicit denial
of the pretensons Of the dissenteDt minority to
impose their views the majority of the party is
clearly meant as a response to Lord Hartington's
recent claim of continued membership In the party.
London In spite of all attempts to keep the crisis
alive has rapidly relapscd ntoa stagnant condi-
ton. August is king The streets are empty. The
country is filing Half of the theatres closed.
The clubs are closing right aud left. The House
OF Commons made believe to keep open the last two
days for administering the oath. The club
bulletin boards were placarded with appeals to
LEGISLATORS to go down aud qualify themselves to
serve the State Most of them preferred to rush off
TO Scotland to qualify themselves for killing grouse
tomorrow, when the annual massacre of those in
poccnt birds begins.
Mr. Gladstone is ruSticatng with one OF his Oldest
admirers aud newest knights, Sir Algernon West.
near Gulford. The Liberal leaders with scarcely
au exception have left town, nor will they return
unless compelled by the prospect daily diminish
ing of the resumption Of active hostihties on the
meeting OF Parliament Most of the new Ministry
remain in London devoting themselves TO master
ing the duties Of their departments. This Is the
more necessary since the majority Of them are
wholly new to their pew offices. Mr. Matthews has
been fighting for his seat at Birm CHAM and has
won il. Sir Michael Hicks-Beach in Dublin Is try
ing to keep other people from lighting at Belfast
ia. IL IL ot1..,..
is inferior to Sir Michael Hick -Beachs
is also in Dublin collecting the latest information
respecting Irish affairs for the Cabinet meeting
next Friday. Sir Michael IIicks-Beach and Lord
Ashbourne will both return on Thursday unless
matters at Belfast get The majority Of their
colleagues will be present tonight at the Lord
Mayors banquet to Her Maestys Ministers. when
Lord Salisbury speaks; but he is not expected to
say much.
Amid the general dulness even the visit Of the
King of Portugal produced but small ripple OF en-
thusasm. The most exciting thing about his stay
in London was the fact that the Queen. who had
been very civil TO hirn at Osborne. put him up In
Buckingham Palace instead of sending him as
usual 10 a botel. The Kings visit has been as dull
RS it has been brief IIe arrived on Saturday and
left London yesterday afternoon for Copenhagen.
The interval was chiefly occupied in receiving and
returning calls from Other royalties. going 10
church. and visiting the Colonial Exhibition three
times and the Geological Gardens once. The
COmte de Paris. who is now Of for the Highlands.
whore lie takes large shootngs was one OF the first
callers or the King. The severity of the Kings
attendance at the Colonial Exhibition was mitlgat-
ed by ono evening at the Savoy Theatre to see the
Mikado." Full royal honors were paid to his Maj
esty his arrival and departure. the Life Guards
escorting him and the Grenader Guards receiving
him. Sir Edward Watkn, who never misses a
chance of doing homage to royalty, native or for
eign, saw him of yesterday chairman of the
Southeastern Railway. by which the King travelled
TO Sheerness, where he embarked on royal yacht
SOr Flushing. London crowds have gathered
wherever the King was expected. grateful to him