New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-14
THE SACKVILLE INCIDENT.
THE BRITISH FOREIGN SECRETARY
STRANGELY RETICENT ON THE SUBJECT.


TBY CABLE TO the TRIBUNE.l
Copyright; 1888: By The Ne,c- York Tribune.
London Dec l3-Lord Salisbury is taking a
curious line with respect to the Sacllville bus-
ness and the question of his successor Lord
Randolph Churchill asked this afternoon in the
House of Commons whether any further COM
munication on this subject had been received
by the Foreign Office from the American Gov
ernment, and whether, if so, it would be pre-
sented to the House before the debate next
week on the Diplomatic vote. Sir James Fer
gusson admitted that statement had been re-
ceived which had been referred to Lord Sack
Vile for his comments and said the correspond
ence would be laid before the House when com
plete. In other words Lord Salisbury refuses
TO allow the House TO know what the American
Government SAYS until after the discussion
whether a successor 10 Lord Saclvilc shall or
shall not be sent TO Washington. II is, how
ever, known that full statement OF the Ameri-
can case-the frst-was handed TO Lord Sails
bury last week If he persists in his refusal
to produce it, Lord Randolph and others
will make it lively for him when the debate
Genes on. Feeling on this matter is growing
stronger, and the policy of sulls finds little
favor on either side of the House.
Influences at work TO break up the British
Empire multiply rapidly. Most of those con-
cerned in these various enterprises hope, no
doubt to reconstruct the Empire, 10 put the
fragments together in some new shape, a hope
which may be well or i'll founded. When
the Scotch estimates were reached in the
House of Commons, some of the Scotch
members enlarged their usual complaint into
threat IT, said they, we cannot get Scotch busi-
ness attended to- shall have to think about
Home Rule for Scotland and conduct our bust
ness in Parliament of our own Very remark
able correspondence on this subject appears this
morning The secretaries of the Scottish Home
Rule Association appeal to Mr. Gladstone for an
expression of opinion in favor of this scheme, and
Mr. Gladstone that he is not Indifferent to
Home Rule in Scotland but no serious plan ap-
proved by any large body of Scotchmen has yet
been proposed. He says: 81 have repeatedly
touched upon this subject in terms indicating as
j conceive, a real interest" What the Scotch
secretaries say, however, is more to the purpose
tllan what Mr.. Gladstone at present
thinks prudent to echo "We believe
they write, 1.-The present opportunity the
best for getting self-government restored
TO our country" That can only r1ean the
repeal of the Act OF Union of ] 7O7 What the
.rength of this Scottish Home-lule Association
its secretaries may be nobody to know.
But il is significant that The Daily News in
brief and angry comment, declares il cannot
md space for their letters The Gladstonian
organ does not tn disclose TO its readers the
fact that a movement for separating Scotland
from England is under way
letter from Mr.. Parnell to the Indian Ma
tiona1 Congress appears simultaneously The
Irish leader says 10 these Indians In my
opinion, you should use any power of self-gov-
means of educational development to fit your
masses for a higher and more extended system of
Home Rule" That also may set the English
thinking, or might, were they not horclcssly
averse from facing more than one difficulty at
time or watching the growth of tendencies in
politics. They probably find a sleepy comfort
in repeating the phrase, Imperial Federation"
Mr. Gladstone, not finding Home Rule or Homer
enough to occupy his time, is going to plunge
afresh into the question Of Divorce He has
reused much curiosity by asking in the House
for production of the full returns of the working
Of the Divorce Court To divorce itself he is
totally opposed on relgious-or perhaps on &C.
acknowledgements. He fought the Divorce
bill of 1857 tooth and nail Whether he will
how propose its repeal his friends do not know
VIII not say
Political discussions in club and out are once
more making themselves heard Lord Harting-
ion, say his friends is about TO withdraw from the
National Liberal Club, on the ground that If has
become mere Home Rule headquarters, and other
Cnionists are expected to follow. Home Rulers
Ire beyond doubt in the majority in the club.
but that is not the only reason for the secession
The Unionists. says one of them, find the rcccp-
lion they meet with from their most active politi-
specific kind appear in print whether just not
have no means of knowing. What concerns the
public is the fact-if it be a fact-of general
disposition on the part Of Liberal Unionists to re-
lire. If the present intention be carried out, it
will widen once more the breach, already wide
,nough, between the two sections Of the Liberal
oarty and add bitterness TO existing social divis-
ions Whether il would affect the financial
fortunes Of the club in some disorder, is I'M
sertain. Gladstonians would perhaps troop in rs
Unionists trooped out. Meantime the club has
lsl1ed Mr.. NaoroIi to dine, as 2 protest against
Lord Salisbury's calling him black man
An interesting, even surprising, fact relating TO
America came out at DR.. Robertson Smiths dinner
10 the Encyclopedia Britannica contributors
nr Black, one Of the publishers, told the com
bany the entire circulation Of the now ninth cdi-
ton was 30, 600 copies, Of which 10000 went 70
the United States Americans. that is. have
bought four times as many copies Of the best
English cyclOpacdia the English themselves
have America has, in fact, absorbed million
ouarto volumes OF this great work. The Ameri-
can Minister was in these circumstances, a most
ftly invited guest He was unable 30 20. hut
sent n letter ending: " The Encyclopaedia Bri-
fannica is doubtless the most useful book in the
world
Mr.. Gilbert's susceptibility to criticism prom
3ses % give rise to theatrical libel
suit OF some interest lie did not
like Mr. Clement Scott's notice Of
" Brantinghame Hall" in The Daily Telegraph
and the story got about that he had written Mr.
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