Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-10-17
WITHOUT A LEADER.
BALFOUR NOT INCLINED TO
TAKE SMITHS POST.
He Sees Defeat Staring HIS Party in the
Face and Does Not Care to be AT the
Helm When tho Ship Sinks.
TCopyrishted bv the Associated Press |

py Inc ASSOcIaleu ITeSS.I
LONDON, Oct. 49, - The Conservatives
have been prematurely jubllant over having
escaped The leadership of Mr.. Goschen-
The members of the Carleton CLUB. after
passing pleasant day OF excitement
at the supposed success of their representa-
tiyes received shock Of disappointment in
atelegram from Balfour denying that he had
been offered the leadership. Numerous
congratulations autographed him during the
day on his acceptance of the
post elected responses, some of which
were shown TO intimate friends of his and
left distinct impression of reluctance TO
take the lead. Akers Douglass, the Conserva-
tive whip.on being appealed TO TO explain the
position especially with view 10 Goschen'S
connection with Balfours leadership
says Goschen spoke with authority
from Lord Salisbury. His expressions
must simply be taken as a personal
acknowledgement of Balfour's services.
Mr.. Akers Douglass denies that the pre-
mler has yet definitely offered the vacant
post to any member of the cabinet.
He could not say whether it had been Of
fered to anyone out of the cabinet, meaning
the Marquis of Harrington. The truth of
the position as known to undcr-oficials is
that Mr. Balfour wants the Mar
quis OF Harrington to become
leader, with the ultimate reversion of the
poSI u HlIuSell. ne pleauS excessive NOrh
in connection with the Irish local govern
ment bill, which he desires to pass during
his tenure of Office as chief secretary for
Ireland. Behind Mr.. Balfour's ostensible
reasons for not taking the lead of the party
in the house Of commons at the
present juncture, he doubtless is in
hs neneea by s, feeling o Of aversion tho 10
leadership signalized by the coming decisive
defeat of the party. No one having even
casual contact with the government minis
tiers can escape the conviction that forepod-
ings of grand disaster at the next general
election ill their minds. Already they
have accepted defeat as inevitable, and talk
of their personal arrangements consequent
upon it.
Goschen knows, and appreciates as we'll
as any one Of the Unionists. that
the government will soon collapse,
and probably, like Balfour, does.
not care to lead party in the valley
of humiliation. Balfour would prefer the
Marquis of harrington TO take the place,
both as more plant instrument than 60
schen, ready at any time to resign his func.
tons and certain before long to go to the
house Of lords on the death Of his
aged father. the Duke of Deyonshire.
The indecision of the Marquis of Salisbury,
due to the extreme gravity of the internal
situation, the discussions among the Con-
servatives and Liberal Unionists on the
eve of the elections, hopelessly damages the
position of the government. AT the present
moment the Marquis of Salisbury appears
to have been driven back upon the Marquis
of harrington, from whom he has spec-
fic pledge to assume the Office if
a condition of affairs arises imperiling the
coalition. Late tonight a report prevailed. !,
in the government Office that the Marquis
of Harrington has induced the Marquis of
Salisbury to make 4 definite offer 10
Goschen before calling him to take the bur-
den of responsibilities he has hitherto
shirked. 4