New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-27
An pARNELL AS PROSECUTOR.
,pop,pu1Ty THAT HE MAY BRING AN AC-
Trov FOR LIBEL AGAINST :" THE TINES
r,,,7rs rxAspE.1~ED Ar Mr.. CHAMBERLAIN
",opn SALISBURY IN POOR HxALrH-JGBILEE
c,rrs TO Mr. AND MEs. GLApsTOHE-THE
DINNER TO AMERICAN AUTHORS
Mr. AND MRS. BLAINE
,pY CABLE TO THE rRInUNE.l

,pY CABLE THE TRrBUNEl
copvrigh : 1888 Bv The Nep- Tori; Tribune.
London. July 26.-A report which may almost
be called startling was current last night, or
rather was whispered among few well-informed
persons on both sides 1t is nothing less than
probability that Mr.. Parncl may, after all, bring
an action for libel against The Tines 1t is
certain he was seriously considering it yesterday
One or two friends said he bad made up his mind
This was not so last night and is not known to be
so this morning Nor was it settled whether he
would issue the writ in London or in Dublin. 1t
is needless to say what momentous resolution
this would be, il really taken. believe that
most of his Gladstonian ccunselors, who hold
conchlvc TO LAY, counsel him against It, Ihey
urge all the old arguments the probability OF
preiudiced Judge and OF disagreeing jury the eA-
rense, the peril of cross-examnaton, whlch can
not be limited the direct issue, the extreme dl-
Guilty Of proving letters TO be forgeres, and 50 on
Mr. Parnelrs answer I understand 10 be sub
stantially this: that his position before the
Special Commission would he worse than in
court Of law as plaintiff. This Commission, sup
posing all limitations rejected by the Government,
will go into matters which might be excluded from
q court, and the delay expense and difficulties OF
all sorts will he greater. Mr.. Parnell
assumes that if hc sues The Tines the Com
perhaps its inventor. Mr.. Chamberlain The de-
bate which ended in the second reading of the
bill unanimously was very hot. Apparent unanim-
ity is apparent only no two men agree about
the details of the scheme. The personalities i'm
ported into the discussion arc exceedingly bitter
The attacks on the Attorney General have broken
down, but will be renewed. Mr. Chamberlain in
the character of candid friend eXasperatcd
the Irish party beyond all others. in spite OF
his declaration OF his own belief in Dir Parnells
integrity they say all his honcycd sentences were
only meant to smooth the way TO an open COM
mission which should seem to be strictly limited
md really have free hand. All these things.
however, become of secondary Importance should
Mr. Parncll finally resolve to proceed with his
notion against Tho Times" II the Commission
sits, Sir James IIannen will practically be the
Commission-ccrtanly one Of the strongest and as
certainly one of the fairest judges on the bench
The stories about Lord Salisbury's health have
only too much foundation. lie is agan suffering
from q sharp outbreak Of eczema, his old enemy,
and means to leave London for Royat this week.
or next at the latest The waters of Royat are
his best medicine This. however, has little bear
ing on the question of the date to he fixed Tor
the closing of tho session SO long as no forelgn
trouble threatens, the Prime Minister is content
TO leave such domestic matters as are most pressing
in the hands of his colleagues.
Mr.. OKery's arrest will be inquired into by his
friends in the House OF Commons. AT present 10
looks like one of those efforts Of superous energy
which might have been left unmade. Much VIII
turn on the question whether Mr. O'Kelly's speech
was followed by illegal acts
The Jubilee gifts to Mr.. and Mrs Gladstone on
sntering their fftieth year Of married life were
most gracefully offered. The presentation, which
took place at Spencer House, was private, but The
address, with signatures, is published, and very
remarkable list it is. None but old colleagues or
old friends bore part in this subscription 1t Is a
roll-cal of the most eminent names in the Liberal
PARTY as now led by Mr.. Gladstone. Mr.. Hollis
portrait of Mr.. Gladstone. now given to him. Is
masterly piece of painting. which will enable pos
;crity TO understand how the great leader looked
in his most warlil<c moments. Mr.. Herkomer has
paintcd Mrs Gladstone, and three silN or cups COM
pletc the gift
The dinner given last evenin. by the Society OF
Authors to American men and women Of letters
WAS a wcll-neant effort to advance their common
interests ns well as en- act Of good will. MI
Lowell was the chief guest. The dinner was in
effect dinner to him. No other American author
of much fame was present. unless Mrs Burnett
can be called an American. Mr.. Bret llarte was
cxpccted but did not come. The American MIN
ister was invited some weeks since, but no date
was fixed and no definite invitation reached
him till yesterday. and he was engaged Pro-
fcsSor Bryce, NJ. p, presided. Mr. Waller, the
Consul-Goneral. represented, as he said, the
American Government officially IN the
absence Of Mr. Phelps. Mrs. Chandler
Moulton, Miss Olive Logan, Mr. Bran
der Matthews, Professor Langley and Slr'
Putnam represented it unoficially. Mr. Besant,
NJ Collins Lord RrabOllrne
Mr.. Gosse, Mr. Dobson, Mr.. Yates, DR.. Russell
and MIR. Sims were the most eminent British
authors present Lord Tennyson tclcgraphed
warmest greetings to the American guests
II was meant to be dinner to promote the
cause of international copyright but some things
were said which did not tend to promote thai
cause Mr. Lowell adroity avoided most OF the
burning questions raised by the Chace bill lie
had the courage to tell his hosts that though he
and all American authors were for copyright on
moral grounds yet that American publishers were
not so much more wicked than English publishers
would have been if they had the chance. Presently
at decent intervals. he pointed out how extensive
English pracies of American books had really
been This was well taken. The Society Of
Authors is before all things a society for the pro
lection Of authors as against publishers. Inc
press takes the matter up this morning In lts
usual tone. English Iapcrs cannot understand
why American editions of English books should
not be printed in England. The Chace bill,'
cries "The Times" is bill conceived in n
narrow, protectionist spirit so far as the pro-
visions about printing arc concerned Other
papers echo this selfish scream. and even MIR.
Lowell hintcd that this provision might presently
be struck out IIe of course. is Free Trader,
and Free Traders will strike blow at American
Industries when they get chance.
Mr. and Mrs. Blaine and party have been here
since Saturday last, too much occupied in final
preparations for sailing to find time for all those
snoial anior,nnonts ,rhich London sfands ready To