The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-31
CONSERVATIVES STARTLED
At the Liberal Victory in the North Buck
inghamshire Election.
Copyright Cable to The Times.l

| inghamshire Election.
copyright Cable to The Times.l
LONDON, May 30.-The outcome of the
North Buckinghamshire election has greatly
intensified the depression caused in Conserve
| tive circles by the results Of the other by
elections. To Judge from the current talk at
| the Conservative clubs. it might be supposed
| that the party had lost a general election or,
| at all events, that the Government had sus-
tanned decisive parliamentary defeat.
This is not surprising when 1t is borne IN
mind that the belief in q strong Conservative
reaction has been for weeks past an article OF
faith in ministerial circles, and the result OF
the earlier elections gave some sort OF Justin-
cation TO the theory. =,
The expectation that free education would
prove an enormous bribe in the case OF the
agricultural laborers was universal on tne
Conservative benches, even among those
members who were most hostile TO the new
departure. In regard 10 North buckingham
shire, too, the local party managers seem 10
have been as absurdly oyer-sanguine as
they were in the tow-Market DIVISION.
The reports which reached ConservaIvo
Headquarters right up TO the day OF polling
seem 10 have given the idea that the election
of the Conservative candidate by small but
sufficient majority was assured. Naturally
enough the Conservative managers III L0nuon
are now asking themselves, as the re-
tested have been 80 misleading, whether
thew RELY on the saugulne estimates
of the local agents in other parts OF the
country and whether the Conservative reac-
ton. the existence of which theory has so
nearly brought about an election. is not alto
getLer n fgment. The main result of the dis
appointment of the ministerialists has been TO
bring to the fore the old Tory element which
is much stronger at the party clubs than In
the House. The Tories are n Wv calling eremp-
toray for the abandonment of the education
bill
II is in their eyes radical measure which
has been forced upon Lord Salisbury by Mr..
Goschen and Mr.. Chamberlain. which has
failed entirely in the matter of purchasing
votes and which the Government would do
well TO throw back again into the radical re-
pertoIyras soon as possible. Once more Mr..
popularity, is in danger of becoming
the best abused man in the Government
in all places where Conservatives con-
gregate. A wealthy peer who has been one
OF the financial mainstays of the Conserya-
tives of recent years said last night that he
trusted that general election would come
and the Government be defeated, as he would |
much prefer supporting an honest, Conserva- |
tive opposition of twenty men TO seeing Con- |
sentative majority in Parliament merely car |
rying out the dictates of Birmingham"
In Ireland the signs of Mr.. Parnells dis |
every day. The National League is almost |
dead Its funds are about exhausted and no |
money comes in TO replenish the treasury |
On the other hand not only have the McCar- |
thyite or as it is called in Ireland the Home |
Rule party, the fixed organization of the |
priests on their side. but the federation is
growing and expanding and its power is |
spreading throughout the whole country.
OUR PROTECTIVE TARIFF.
The French Chamber of Deputies is going |
ahead as rapidly as possible with the tariff,
almost without variation the re-
commentators of the committee The tax
on pork is intended TO be as nearly prohibi-
tory as possible for the American article
without provoking retaliation. Indeed it
is admitted to be for the express
purpose of excluding American pork, the
United States being the only country that ex-
but the advocates of high protection for the
French pig uttered the hope that by not nam
ing the American product they would not
bring France within the retalatory provisions
Of the Mckinley law.
In other respects, also, the protective ele-
ment is carrying everything before it. Much
TO the injury of British commerce with France |
and England it is proposed TO retaliate by
higher duty on French brandes. There is
little doubt that this will be done Meantime
Germany and Austria are going ahead to draw
other continental nations, excepting France,
mo NhNL reciprocity dIIduBtueUJ IUaJ, |
while afording protection to industry,
will facilitate commercial intercourse
switzerland has already consented in
formally TO Join the arrangement. and
Italy and Holland are expected. Belgium
s already practically q free trade country !
Austria and Hungary are joining the outcry
against the inundation of Russian and Polish
Jews driven from their homes by Russian
Prominent Jews and friendly
newspapers in those countries are pro-
esting against the additions Of tens
If thousands of destitute people to |
he population of empire which |
heir presence can only add TO the hardship
lready borne by the native Jews. The |
ewish- Hungarian poet, Kiss, who is highly |
espeoted throughout Hungary. says that for |
very one of those wretched. ignorant and I'M
civilized but oppressed creatures who lands |
n London or Liverpool ten are marching
ver the carpathians into upper Hungary,
whence they soon descend upon the cities and |
I'll victims TO Sweaters.
EUROPEAN NOTES.
II is now believed ia British Government |
irces that the threat Of the CHILEAN insur-
ents TO lombard Valparaiso was never inten-
ed TO be carried out, but was offered with q
lew of leading European Governments 10
Ompel Balmaceda 10 make peace. If this
gas the plan it has failed. England will not
Interfere except upon imminent peril of bonn
and then only TO prevent the rebels
rom destroying the property of British SUBJ
ects. ,
The Newfoundlanders have won victory