Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-08
THE TORY TRUsIPs.

II is quite evident from Lord Salisbury's
recent utterances and more particularly
from bis speech at the banquet given by the
Lord Mayor of London-an occasion which
is now usually chosen for the announcement
of the Ministry's programme-that he is re-
lying upon his foreign policy to retrieve the
waning fortunes of the Tory party. The
domestic policy of the English Govern
ment has been such lamentabIe failure at
all points, policy of backing and filling
and trimming and turning, that under any
circumstances Lord Salisbury would have
political justification for preferring his for
eign policy as platform upon which to ap-
peal to the country. Candidly it must be
admitted that Lord Salisbury has displayed
remarkable ability in his negotiations with
Germany as to Africa. The solution of what
promised to be troubled question for gen.
Grafton by the cession of an island of no
earthly use to ENGLAND and concession of
colonizing privileges that Germany already
possessed in point Of fact, is an achievement
of which the Tory Premier may rightly be
proud. The paucity of hostile criticism in
and outside Parliament is the best evidence
that the foreign policy of the Tory Govern
ment is generally popular. 1t is the strong
card in Lord SaIisbury's hand, and he
means to play it to the best advantage.
The signs are plain that Ireland is certain
to secure nome rule no matter which party
triumphs, some time in. the next ten years.
If Lord Salisbury had not drawn such
strong hand of foreign trumps he might be
expected to lead with home rule for Ireland
in this the last game of the rubber. A few
years ago home rule seemed to depend upon
the life and strength of its greatest advocate,
Mr.. Gladstone. But the logic of events,
assisted by the campaign OF education pur-
sued by the Liberal party in En-
gland, has altered the situation. Home
rule will be granted to Ireland be-
fore long whether Mr.. Gladstone lives
or not. 1t will come quickest of cosrse if
the Liberal party wins at next years gen.
eraI election, but 1t will come in due time in
anv event. The issues upon which the gen.
eral election will be fought are not yet fully
in sight. The triumphs of British diplomacy
in Equatorial Africa are certain to form
large part of the Tories claims for retention
in power. IF fortune should favor Lord
Salisbury again in the settlement Of the
Newfoundland and Egyptian question with
France, it may be that the glamour of
victories abroad may hide the muddles
and mistakes Of the Ministry at home,
and persuade the uncertain British
voter to continue the Tories in
Office. This is possibility which the
history OF Parliamentary Government in
England reminds us is worth considering.
1t would be a misfortune to Great Britain
beyond doubt; setback to the Demo
cratic forces at work there, and so blow to
the cause OF freedom and progress every
where. Mr.. Gladstone and his lieutenants
know full we'll how the traps are being
baited for the British voter, they have seen
the seductive foreign policy scheme worked
before. They may be relied upon to keep
the vital issues of the hour before the peo-
pie, and upon those issues the Liberal party
and Home Rule for Ireland ought to win.