St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-23
SALISBURY MAY RETIRE.
Chances of Cabinet Changes in
England Increased.

Chances of Cabinet Changes in
England Increased.
LONDON, Feb. 22.-It is conceded on
ali sides that the chances of recon-
struction of the cabinet, and the conse-
quent dissolution of parliament. have
been largely increased by the continued
illness of Lord Salisbury. The question
is frequently and anXiOusty asked in
conservative quarters: "WhO would
take the place of the prime minister in
case his health compelled him to re-
SignY AS the conservative party is at
present constituted Lord Salisbury is
Indispensable. He is head taller in
his political reputation than any of his
colleagues. and he is really the only one
of the conservative leaders whom
at the present time it is possible to
think of as prime minister. The states
man who comes next to him in expert
ence and prestige-Mr. G0sehen-will
never he frankly accepted by the Con-
ServativeS as their leader, and, although
Mr.. BalfOur has been talked of as leader
in the house Of commons, no one has
seriously thought of him as filling the
premiership. But the difficulty of find
Ing prime minister would be mere
tritie as compared with that of choosing
qualified foreign secretary versed in
THE WAYS OF DIPLOMACY,
and at the same time having such per-
sonal weight as to impress the minds of
foreign statesmen. There is not sin
gle member OF the government at the
present time who is fitted by his ante
cedeHts and general capacity to occupy
the foreign Office if it should become
vacant tomorrow. The discussion this
evening seems to be wholly as to whether
Lord Salisbury is falling" There
are rumorS on one side which,
if true, would bring about
Lord SaliSburv's resignation before
Easter. Denials of a general character.
only are heard on the other side. The.
real fact is believed to I've that Lord
SaliSbury'S attack of influenza was far
more severe than was admitted at the,
time, and that now he is being sur
rounded by precautions due less to his
actual state of health than to a very
natural concern regarding him in his
own home. The report again put in
circulation that Lord Salisbury will re-
sign to Mr.. GOschen the portfolio of the
foreign office is utterly devoid of truth.
There is no more dangerous or difficult
operation for government than eoer-
cion OF section of their own party by
reliance upon the support of some of
the OppOSlblOH, anu SuCn cOuI Sc is IN
prospect for the present govern Aient in
regard to tithes and to free education.
In effect they say to some of the
staunchest Tories: adopt our pro-
poSals upon these matters lest
a WORSE THING HAPPEN
TO you should the Liberals obtain
power" These matters are discussed
in Tory clubs as the rocks ahead i'm the
session which may, on near approach,
seem so dangerous that the government
may refuse to face them. 1t is quite
possible that Liberals will decline to
deal with the question of tithes unless
the settlement is more complete than
the government will propose; and it is
certain that upon free education the
opposition will seek to apply that pnlicy
i'll a manner different from that which
would end favor with the government.
If they so proceed the ministry will
compel some of their followers to choose
Letween desertion of their principles
ana acceptance of an opportunity for
producing ministerial crisis-a choice
which may lead to interesting results in
the course of the session.