The record-union., 1891-10-31
LONDON GOSSIP
NEW ELECTORAL PROGRAMME FOR
THE CONSERVATIVES.
Queen Victoria Enjoying Robust Health
king Humbert to Pay Her an
official Visit.

copyrighted, 1891, by N. Y. Associated Press. !
LONDON, Oct 3O.-The Council of the
Conservative National Union have in
progress an electoral programme which
promises to outbid that adopted by the
Liberals. The circular recently issued
by the council directing the leaders of
local caucuses, in view of the early gen
eral election, to make q special effort to
oppose the Liberal propaganda, elected
appeals from every quarter for an authori-
tative platform. Conservative agents
will be sent on a tour of all the districts to
occupy themselves with destructive
criticism of the Liberal projects.
Semi-otficially it is announced that the
platform OF the Conservatives will de-
clare for the cessation OF special Irish
legislation with the adoption of the local
government bill and the concentration of
the attention of Parliament on British
affairs; the extension of popular local
government; allotment Of small holdings
for laborers; legislation for arbitration of
strikes; lowest possible taxation on tea,
coffee and cocoa; reduction of the duty
on tobacco; vesting the power of licens-
ing in County Councils, with provision
for compensation of publicans deprived
of licenses, and the introduction of a bill
providing for insurance against old age
There will, of course, be principles of op-
position to church disestablishment,
maintenance of denominational schools,
preservation of the peers privileges and
the rejection of local option in the matter
of the eight-hour day.
The platform does not give the electors
a comprehensive prospect of reform equal
to that Of the Liberals, but it is freer from
fadS and more Immediately practical
The Liberals are arranging for a series of
laborers' meetings.
Although no credit was given to the
sensational cables from New York alleg-
ing that the United States had declared
war against Chile. the present situation
has led to discussion in naval circles. An
English naval officer having special
knowledge of the Chilean forces States
that war might be decidedly unpleasant
for the United States at the outset, and
that the task of conquest would not be an
easy one, although eventually the United
States would be certain of victory.
1t is stated that at the next Lord May
or's banquet, in his annual statement of
the policy OF the Foreign Office, Lord
Salisbury will state that no new step has
been taken by France in relation to
Egypt, and no Flu ropean conference on
the subject proposed. Regarding Pamir,
he will state that nothing has oc,
CURED to cause the Indian Government
any disquiet. he will not refer to the
aggressive energy with which India is
acting in sending agents into Cashgar. pre-
pairing plan for the mobilization of
troops, the formation OF army railway
corps, etc.
AS proof of the robust health of the
Queen, it may be stated that in spite of
the severely cold weather at BalInoral.
she has been driven out daily in an
open carriage.
King Humbert will pay an official
visit TO the Queen in March next, on
which occasion there will be review of
the Italian and English squadrons at
Snithead