Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-01
OTHER LANDS THAN OURS.

Public opinion in Great Britain regarding
questions of reform has become such that it
will soon become necessary for parliament
to adopt measures in harmony with the evil
dent desire for progress. That party lead
ers have recognized the existence of such a
political condition is evident from Mr..
Chambcraln's recent suggestion as to the
introduction of a land measure for Ireland,
although, even if the house of commons
ahould agree upon such question, the
house of lords would undoubtedly reject it.
Nothing could more forcbly illustrate the
aversion which the English people have
to radical changes than the equanim-
ity with which they have so long
borne the existence Of this obstructive cham
ber; but the change in opinion which mani
tested itself in the house of commons, when
Mr.. Labouchere made his motion to abolish
the hereditary principle of the upper cham
ber, is most significant. Time was when
such a motion would have been obtained no
countenance from English politicians; but on
this occasion it was supported by the whole
official leadership of the liberal party, aud
was beaten by only forty -one votes in house
of 361 The tories who spoke against the
motion did so in an epoogetic tone, and with
the expression of a hope that some way
might soon be found by which the compost
tion and character of the house of ords
could be improved; and, with the exception
OF Mr.. Balfour, who was tainted into saying
a few words, not a member of the gov
ernment broke the silence that reigned
on the treasury bench during the de-
bate. 1t is sad commentary on the boasted
growth of liberalism in Great Britain during
the nineteenth century to recall the frequent
collisions between the two houses of parlia-
ment on questions of simple justice and hu-
manity. The progressive spirit of the age.
whenever it has made itself felt in the com
mons, has never been agreeable to the lords.
All other acts of injustice on the part of the
peers sink into insignificance however,
when compared with the many wrongs
which Ireland has suffered at their hands.
Ever since 1885, when they interfered with
the Just administration of Ireland under the
Melbourne government, and destroyed the
prospect of reconciing the Irish people to
the legislative union with England, they
have either rejected or mutiate every
measure of Irish reform sent up to them.
Whom any reform was accomplished, its
value was either largely impaired by their
amendments or so altered as to be rendered
almost practically imperative. On their
SnOuluerS lleS ilrBe SuaTe Vi tue TeSpOuSi-
bility for the disordered state of Ireland;
and the only hope is that If they should
much longer continue their obstructive
course there will be a popular agitation wide
and deep enough to sweep the house of lords
out OF existence.
-
The visit of the shah of Persia to Europe
in some respects has quite as much signih-
canoe as that of King Humbert of Italy, to
the imperial city of Berlin. The successor
of Cyrus the Great holds one Of the import
ant keys to the far east, of which Russia Is
now very ANXIOUS to get possession. With
an outlet by the Persian gulf to the Pacific
ocean the Russians would have most ad-
vantageous position in the future struggle
with England for the dominion of the east
ern world. In the rivalry between these
great powers tho shah fully appreciates his
own Importance. He must know, too, that
every step taken by Russia toward the In
dian ocean is a menace TO the integrity of his
own dominlons. But the oriental
vouptuary is perfectly willing to let
the future take care of itself, so
long us his own safety ana repose shall re-
main undlsturbed. Such conferences as the
car aud shah have held were not influenced
by any considerations except what may be
personal " themselves They have no
wishes nor whims to consult but their own
The shah, whose locomoton is SO Free must
have feeling of commiseration for his imper'
ial host, who can not travel in any part of his
own domiaions without encountering the i'm