Morning journal and courier., 1888-02-11

BalfOur Flaps the Wings of Victory
 Hut is Called Down RY Gladstone and Hts Liberal and Irish Followers.
 LONDON, Feb. 10.-In the House of Com
 mons this evening, Rt. Hon. Sir James Fer
 guson, parliamentary secretary of the foreign
 office, referring to England's position towards
 the European powers, said that no agreement
 pledging material action by the country had
 been entered into with any power. By ma
 terial action he meant military responsibil- ity.
 Rt. Hon. A. J. Balfour, chief secretary Ireland, continuing the debate on the address in reply to the Queens speech, commented on the changed tone of MT. Gladstone as manifested in his speech of last evening"
 Where, he asked, was the impassiened orator
 who used all the resources of rhetoric to in- flame the public against the law and against policemen. MT. Gladstone here interrupted the speaker, saying that there was not an atom of foundation for such assertions. MT.
 Balfour, continuing, recalled the melting language in MT. Gladstone's Nottingham speech and said that he did not complain of
 but rather congratulated MT. Gladstone on
 his change of tone. He would have liked it if
 all the speakers of the opposition had followed
 Mr. Gladstone's example and he would have
 liked it better if they had refrained from at
 tending meetings of Irish tenants and conniv-
 ing at violence against the law. In 1886 the number of agrarian offenses reached total
 of 2,196, while in 1887 the total was only 1887. The total number of cases of ordina " crime reached 1 ,963 in 1886 and in 1887 it was 1868. The number of agrarian offenses for the six months ending January, 1887, was 455 and for the same psriod ending January 1888, it was 364, decrease of 30 per cent. The statistics of boycotting especially showed the striking results of the crimes act. The number of persons being boycotted at the end of July, 1887, was 870, whereas now it was only POS. The governments efforts to protect persons from boycotters had been notably successful in the counties Clare and Kerry where the league had been suppressed. People now travelling in Ireland declared that the condition of the country was greatly improved and the judges charge confirmed this opinion. The government was engaged in an old struggle, but never before had any government arrayed against it forces recog- nized by the opposition. He Ieprobated the mendacious vituperation resorted to by cer- tain members of the opposition. It was a b1emish on political life and ought to help no cause. He claimed that the figures ad- duced justified coercion and proved that the governments policy had been successful. (Cheers.)
 Mir. John Morley said the House would in- fer from Mir. Balfour's speech the temper in
 
 oheers.) Regarding the Irish criminal statis- ties he said the period showing decrease of crime included the six months calm during which eviction notices could not be executed. The diminution of boycotting was due not to coercion, but to an entirely new state of feeling and deeper sense of responsibility toward the Liberal members who were co-werkers with the Irish to obtain justice for Ireland. Clear, hesr.) The Ilish I party was now assured that it would ulti- timately realize it's aspirations. If it should ever be deprived of that hope the effects of coercion in aggravating social disorders would become painfully apparent.
 Mir. Edward Harrington, member for West Kerry, a Nationalist, called MT. Balfour's speech sfchoice example of his mendacity." The Speaker called upon Mir. Harrington to withdraw the expression. MT. Harrington acquiesced, but said he did so only under command. Mir. Harrington, continuing, said the government manipulated the figures re- lating to crime. Everybody cenversant with the affairs of Ireland knew that the magis- trates administered the crimes act and did all they could to irritate the people. MT. Bal four's regime had oppressed the people and had tried to suppress those vindicating the peoples rights. But the principles of liberty would be fought for until they triumphed. MT. Parnell moved the adjournment of the debate and the motion was agreed to.