The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-03-01
Gladstone Said to be Looking Tagged
and Very Old.
France Gives DeLesseps' Canal
Scheme a Setback.
An Australian Bank Suspends with
Heavy Losses.
rBy Gable to the Boston Sunday Herald !


formation of a "cave," on the assumption
that the government scheme will include
separate parliament for Ireland | believe
the originators of this movement already
feel secure of 70 votes, which, added to the
regular Conservative strength, would go
within 20 Of defeating the government Some
further defections of Liberals, who would
not absolutely vote against Mr. Gladstone,
might suffice to turn the scale, but whether
this gallant band of 70 would remain firm
when the division bells rang is very doubt
full. They may promise anything now, but
leaves" have bad name here, and people
hasten to get out when the pinch comes.
Needless to say Lord harrington has no
part in this move. He has little to say to
anybody and sticks to his back seat. Some
times he is driven far back by the eagerness
of new members to secure the best places,
and he is observed to seldom go near the
treasury bench. With Mr.. Morley he does
not seem to have even a speaking acqualn-
tance, and two men standing wider apart In
political and personal aims one could not lind
thelworld over.
Mr.. Gladstone has not forsaken his favor
ite plan of dealing first with the land ques-
tion and to postpone home rule. But he be-
gins to feel the irresistible pressure of the
party which made him premier. He is not
free agent. His tactics are controlled by an
acute, active and ever watchful band OF Ma
tionalists, closing around him with steady,
though quiet, pressure Their grip is tight
ening remorselessly every day, and is making
him feel he only holds office on certain terms,
and these terms will be enacted, He will
outwit the Parnellites if possible, but they
know their man. | believe they will be
found more than match for him. They
have no real faith in him, but the sudden
turn of Lord Randolph Churchill against
them leaves no one else. for them to deal
with. Depend upon it, Mr. Gladstone'S
scheme will be evasive, like the Scotch Croft
er's bill introduced on Thursday. 1t will be
a case of great cry and little wool, satisfy
ing nobody. The Nationalists will first take
what they can get, and then begin agitation
anew for more, wearing out even Mr.. Glad
stones powers of defence. Only one thing
is certain now. There will be no weakness,
no faltering, no further concessions from the
Parnellites.
Mr. Parnell himself has been little seen in
the past week, except ON Friday night, when
he was present throughout. Sometimes he
is in very friendly conversation with Mr..
Biggar. Once or twice he is seen peerlng
through the brass lattice work OF glass
door. He then decamps to pleasanter scenes.
One or the other of his lieutenantS is always
on guard. have never seen Messrs. Sex
ton, Dillon or Mccarthy absent from the
House together.
The rumors of Mr.. Treyelyan's approach
| ing retirement are based on remark in his
speech ON the Crofters bill, that no section
| of the population should be taxed for the
| purchase of land for other sections. This
theory cannot be squared with Mr.. Chamber
| lain's three acres and COW policy, Dut
| Mr.. Trevelyan will not retire. Mr.. Chamber
| lain listened to his essay, which was all
| written out, with serene and complacent
| air, well knowing who was the master of the
| situation. The Crofter's bill is aimed chiefly
| at Mr.. Winans. Its proper title would be
'Winans punishment bin. 1t gives great
| dissatisfaction to the Crofter members. 1t
! must either be extended in scope or suffer
| defeat.
The Encouragement made rather weak
| defence on Friday for attending a pubic
| dinner where the Queen was hissed Mr..
| Gladstone sat by, sternly silent Public
| feeling is certainly in sympathy with the
| Queen. If she continues to show herself
| more, this feeling will increase. There is
great reserve of loyalty in the country
which the ministry may make the fatal error
| of ignoring. Mr.. Gladstone writes his re-
| port on the proceedings for the Queen every
| night. the only visible sign of his willingness
| to perform his duty to the crown. The re-
| port seems short, and is probably as dull as
| the debates.
Everybody notices that the premier looks
| tagged and very old. The last great and
| terrible strain to which he is about to expose
| his party cannot be faced with light heart
| He has implacable foes in front, Waverlng
| friends behind, and new and untrled col
| leagues by his side. His position is une-
| qualled in parliamentary history. Utter
| ruin or the greatest success of his life awaits
| him. The issue no man alive can torsee.
Famine in Ireland.
A dispatch from Westport, Ire, reports
| great distress from famine and fever in the
| villages of Caslecka, Mulvany and Doobeg
| The reports are confirmed by the parish
| priest. One death has already occurred, and
| many are i'll from want of food.
Australian Bank Suspension.
A dispatch from Adelaide says that the
| losses. of the Commercial Bank of South
| Australia, which has just suspended payment,
| amount to 9300,000. THE manager of the
| bank has also suspended. He will probably
| be arrested.
Trouble Between the comedie Fran
| caise and the Government.
| PARIS, Feb. 27-The principal actors of
| the Comedie FrancaiSe are just now engaged
| in what threatens to prove serious row
| with the government The tragedienne,
| Mile. Dudley, is the cause of the quarrel.
| Tragedies are so seldom performed at the
theatre that the committee of management
| refused to renew Mile. Dudlay's engage
ment, alleging the infrequency OF the need
| of her services as the reason. The lady ap-
| pealed to M Goblet, minister of public in
| struction, and he annulled the committee s
| decision. M. Goblet's conduct eXaSperated
| the committee so much that NM Isot Co.
| quelin, Delauney, Febore Worms, Lully and
| Laroche resigned their positions in the mag
| agement, and M. Coquelin now threatens to
leave the Comedie Franchise altogether
| if Mile. Dudlay is retained
Setback for De Lesseps.
NJ. Rousseau, the delegate appointed by
| the government to inspect the work on the
| Panama canal and to report as to the feasi-
bility of its constructions on his way home.
| 1t is reported that he apprised the govern
| ment that it was useless for him to await the
| arrival Of Count de LessepS, and that the
| French delegates are not in accord with the
| views Of NJ Charles De Lesseps on the ques-
| tion of cost and time in which it is possible
| to construct the canal The report is said to
| be so adverse that the government has al
ready decided to refuse to authorize the issue
| of lottery obligations in connection with the
| canal construction.
Refuses to Accept.
| SOFIA, Feb. 28-Servia refuses to accept
the treaty of peace drafted by Bulgaria, and
| the treaty has therefore not yet been signed.
Joined the Strike.
| DEcAZEvILLE, France. Feb. 2S.-All the
miners in the Avignon district, numbering
$500 men, have joined the strike of workmen
! here. The project of the department has
| telegraphed to NJ. Sarrien, minister of the
| interior, for reinforcementS OF troops.
Hugo's Birthday.
PARIS, Feb. 27.-The S4th anniversary of
the birth of Victor Hugo was celebrated last
| evening by grand miscellaneous entertain
ment at the Theatre Franchise. The audience
was composed of the most brilliant persons
in France. Hugo's grandchildren were the
guests of the audience. Scenes from lie
| Roi S'Amuse," "Ruy Bias" and Hermann
were enacted. Remains '1S02'' was received
| with tumultuous applause, and was encored
| again and again. NJ. Renan was present and
although greatly pleased with the success of
his work, refused absolutely to appear on
the stage in answer to the calls of the audi
ence.
Foreign Notes.
The boycotting of the Cork Packet compa-
ny closed today the company agreeing to
carry dealers cattle free of charge for three
months and dealers allowing the company to
carry the cattle hitherto boycotted.
THE LABOR QUESTION.