The morning call., 1891-12-12
GLADSTONE'S ALLIES
Conference With the Rural
Delegates.
The Great Liberal Leaders Physical
Powers Declining.
Approaching Wedding of the Duke Of Clar-
snCe-A Romantic Attachment Broken
Of SaIiSbury'S Negotiations
Copyrighted 1891 by the New York Associated
Press.

LONDON, Dec. 11.-If the rural confer
encs which opened yesterday in London
represented with absolute fidelity the
spirit of the agricultural element of Great
Britain, the country would be on the eve of
a social and political revolution. No as
semblage of supposed representative men
ever held in England displayed such en-
venOmed hostility to parsons and land
owners. The delegates boasting Of them
selves as persistent arson-fghterS and de-
nouncing squire tyranny were cheered to
the echo, and their scornful illusions to the
patronizng airs of the clergy toward the
rural inhabitants were keenly relished.
The entire sympathy of the conference
was reserved for the motto. "Down With
Church and Landlord" But it would be
misleading to infer from the character of
the conference that the rural poor have de-
serted the church en- masse OF have become
Infused with political designs against squire
archy. The conference, while indicating
clearly and actively an existent force to be
accounted with in the coming elections,
owes IT'S great Importance to its fore
shadowing the future agricultural policy.
When the spirit If the delegates permeates
the electorate the hereditary privileges of
landiordism and churchism will vanish.
GLADsToNE's SPEECH UNSATISFACTORY.
Gadstone's speech to-day was a distinct
disappointment, many delegates expecting
that definite assurance in regard to the
Liberal programme would be declared and
would include some of their aspirations.
Some of the men who urged the Immediate
application to England OF the principles of
fair play for rent, fXity OF tenure and free
sale. and others who wanted the abolition Of
primogenituTe and the limitation of the size
OF estates, got only enlarged allusions to the
Newcastle programme. Gladstone spoke
throughout as a leader who was sympa-
thetc, but doomed not to lead in the struggle
in which his hearers were most concerned.
The Chairman's Incidental reference TO
Gladstones proiscted trip TO Biarritz as "a
Journey TO that beautiful land" was misin-
terpreted by the audience and brought tears
TO many eyes. GladstOne's own alluson to
the limitation iof his physical powers and
his sensibity Of the disadvantage in which
his party was placed owing TO his advanced
years caused renewed emotion among his
hearers. There were many cries of, mo,
no; you will have a long life yet" etc.
Gladstone and his wife will start on their
trip on Tuesday morning and will reach
Paris on Tuesday evening.
THE COMING ROYAL WEDDING.
The arrangements for the marriage of the
Duke Of Clarence and Avondale were, it is
understood, discussed by the Cabinet to- day.
Although the act of 1889 bears special
grant to the Duke, the Ministers hold that
a dowry can be voted 10 the Princess. Glad
stone and his wife called at Marlborough
House to-day to Offer their congratulations
on the betrothal. The Queen gave dinner
at Windsor tonight to the Duke of Clar-
ence, Princess Victoria Mary and the whole
of the Teck family. The current stories
that the betrothal is due to the Duke OF
Clarence's persistent love under great 0ppo-
sition do not agree with court reports.
ROMANTIC ATTACHMENT.
On the contrary it is known that the Duke
of Clarence las long been enam0red OF
Princess Helene of Orleans and that two
years ago he personally declared his passion
TO Comte de Paris and received an assurance
that Princess Helene TeciprOcated his love
and both her father and mother approved
the match. Princess Helene then went To
Rome to put the question Of change Of re-
llgion, as an absolute necessity, before the
Pope, who told her IL would be
impossible that such a change should
obtain his remotest sympathy. The posi-
ton remained unsettled until the Prince
and Princess of Wales became alarmed over
the chance Of the Duke OF Fife nearing the
throne Pressure was then put on the Duke
OF Clarence on every side, family and Cabl-
net reasons being addueed against an alli-
snce with the house of France. This press
ure led to his acceptance of the Princes:
Victoria Mary, for whom he has shown 6
cousiny liking.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH FRANCE.
Lord Salisbury has reOpened negotiation,
with the French Foreign Minister for set
tlement of the Newfoundland fisheries dis
pute. 1t is reported that Lord Salisbury, II
return for a surrender of all French rights
in yuio IN n
- Herver Islands and the colony Of Lagos
Gladstone's criticism of GOschen's one
pound note scheme has killed the chances Of
the bill in Parliament.