The record-union., 1891-08-08
Specialize the REcoRD-UNIoN.


LONDON, Aug. 7.z-Since the proroga-
ton speech announced that the coming
session would deal with questions already
elaborated, all rumors of immediate gem
eral elections have ceased. The legis-
lative programme mentioned in the
Queens speech'in November last, left in
complete, will be resumed next year.
Besides the Irish local bill, the Ministers
have perfected an English measure de-
veloping the existing system of local
government by the creation of dis
trict conciEs, and other bills. The
opposition are prepared to see
the Government succeed in carrying
these, without fearing that the Cabinet
will be thereby SO strengthened as to di-
vert an appeal to the country.
The burden of the work rests on Bal
four. In his Irish local government bill
it is understood that the feature viii be
the franchise of electors of county boards,
the boards being confined 10 persons
actually paying rates. The measures
will bear the smallest resemblance to
home rule. They Will prevent the boards
created under its provisions from being
controlled by the masses.
If the presence of royal persons can in
Chicago, its success now seems to be as
sured. It is certain that several mem
bers of the English royal family are
showing such interest in the progress of
the preparations as indicates the inten-
ton on their part to visit the fair, and
communications have reached London
from Berlin which leave little doubt, if
Europe is at peace at the time of the fair,
that the German Emperor will indulge
himself in the greatest voyage Of his life,
seeing America.
The three weeks naval maneuvers lust
concluded in the North Sea have been
keenly watched by every Government in
Europe. Experts blame the Admiralty
for suddenly changing the plans of con-
verting the tactical maneuvers, thus
spelling the initiative of the Admiral
commanding.
In spite of the AdmiraIty's laundering
the evolutions yielded results of immense
Importance. They have shown the
rapidity of the mobilization of the Eng
lish fleet in reality, that new and COM
plicatGd instruments of sea warfare, like
the battleships Sans Pareil and Nile, can
be equipped, manned and sent to sea in a
few days ready for action. They have
also proved that the ltO-ton guns used on
the Sans Paren can be worked rapidly
and successfully, penetrating nineteen
inches of iron armor and fifteen inches of
any compound armor afloat at range of
$500 yards.
Another discovery has modified the ac-
cepted ideas of the value of torpedo ves-
SelS. In no instance did the torpedo YES
sci succeed III the attack on the ironclad.
The system followed against torpedo YES
sells converted the defense into an attack
Instead Of waiting for the torpedo vessels,
the warships went for them. Out of
twenty torpedo boats four were adiudged
captured, while two protecting ships were
destroyed and seventeen attacks repuIsed.
The superiority of active over passive de-
tense against torpedo boats is. therefore,
held TO be demonstrated.
Dillon while here conferred unceas-
ingly with the Parnellites, with a view of
ending the schism in the Irish party He
found them resOlutely opposed to Par
nelPS retirement as condition of re-
union. Several intimated their intention
to withdraw from public life, but during
the tenor of their place in the Commons
they viii adhere to their old leader
The meeting of Dillon, O'Brien, Nc
Carthy and Sexton TO deliberate on the
future leadership of the party resulted in
an agreement that Dillon should be for
mally invested with the leadership when
Parliament reassem bles. Meanwhile Me-
Carthy will be nominal chief, though Dill
lon viii be the virtual leader.
Lord Salisbury has instructed his solic-
itor to press the bankruptcy case against
William O'Brien to the rapidest possible
other claimant, George Bolton, to whom
the jury awarded $4,000 damages in the
libel action against O'Brien, years ago.
has revived his demand 1t is plain that
the objects of both suits is to disclose
OBrien for future Parliamentary life.
Lord Salisbury started for Chateau
Cecil at Dippe to-day. His last official
work was communication to NJ. Wad-
dington, the French ambassador, on the
preparations made for the reception of
the French fleet at Portsmouth on
August Dist. Admiral Gervais and his
officers will dine with the Queen on the
22d. The Queen viii inspect the French
fleet, and the French officers will attend
q banquet in Portsmouth town hall on
the 23d. The officers will go to London
to visit the naval exhibit, and the sailors
will be banqueted in the town hall Be
sides these there will be series of balls
and junketings, all promising glowing
welcome 10 the Frenchmen.
The Wesleyan Conference concluded
its labors with the significant appoint
ment by large majority of Professor
Dawson to the chair Of theology. His
recent address on the inspiration of the
Bible and his broad views have excited
alarm among the orthodox. His cleo
ton proves the strength Of the broad
church in English Wesleyanism. An
other victory for the forward party was
the appointment Of a committee TO try to
obtain an Act of Parliament resembling
Wesley's deed, under which the three
years ministerial circuit system pre-
walls, IL such an act is obtained the itin-
Grant Wesleyan minister, the dominant
feature Of the church. will cease to exist.
ITALIAN FINANCES.