Los Angeles herald., 1891-12-12

LONDON. Dec. 11.-[Copyrighted by
the New York Association Press. If
the rural conference which opened yes
terdav in London, represented with
absolute fidelity the spirit OF the agri-
cultural element of Great Britain, the
country would be ON the eve OF social
and political revolution. No assem-
blage of supposed representative men
ever held in England displayed such
envenomed hostility to parsons and
landowners. Delegates boasting them
selves as persistent parson fighters and
denouncing squire tyranny, were
cheered to the echo, and their scornful
illusions to the patron:zipg airs of the
clergy toward the rural inhabitants,
was keenly relished. The entire sym
pathy of the conference was reserved for
the motto: Down with the Church
and the Landlord!" But it would be
misleading to infer from the
character of the conference that
the rural poor have deserted the church,
en- masse, or have become infused with
political designs against the squire
archy. The conference, while indicating
| clearly anti actively an existent force TO
! be accounted with in the coming cleo
tons, owes its great Importance to the
| foreshadowing Of its future agricultural
policy. When the spirit of the dele
| gates permeates the electorate, the
hereditary privileges of landlordism and
churchism will vanish.
Gladstone's speech was a distinct dis
appointment today, many delegates ex-
| pecting that definite assurance in re-
gard to the Liberal programme would be
| declared, and would include some of
their aspirations. Some men who
urged the immediate application to Eng
| land of the principles OF txity OF ten
ure and free sale, and others VINO
wanted the abolition of primogeniture
and limitation of the size OF estates, got
only enlarged illusions to the Newcastle
programme. Gladstone spoke through
out as a leader who was sympathetic,
but doomed not to lead in the struggle
in which his hearers were most con-
cerned.
The chairman's incidental reference
to Gladstone's projected trip 10 Biarritz,
as "a jou 'ney to that beautiful land"
was misinterpreted by the audience and
brought tears to many eyes. The alu-
sion to the Limitation of his physical
powers and his sensibility of the disad-
vantage in which his party was placed,
owing to his advanced years, caused re-
newed emotion among his hearers.
Gladstone and his wife will start on
their trip on Tuesday morning, and will
reach Paris on Tuesday evening.
Arrangements for the marriage of the
duke of Clarence and Avondale were, it
is understood, discussed by the cabinet
today. Although the act OF 1889 bears
a special grant to the duke, the minis
tiers hold that a dowry cannot be voted
the princess. Gladstone and wife called
at Marlborough house today to offer con-
gratulations on the betrothal. The
queen gave dinner at Windsor tonight
to the duke of Clarence, Prin-
cess Victoria Mary and the whole
Teck family. The current story that the
betrothal is due to the duke OF Clar-
ence's persistent love under great oppo-
sition does not agree with the court
reports. On the contrary, it is known
that the duke of Clarence had long been
enamored OF Princess Helene of Orleans,
and that two years ago he personally
declared his passion to the Comte de
Paris and received the assurance that
Princess Helene reciprocated his love,
and that both her father and mother
approved the match. Princess Helene
then went TO Rome to put the question
Of change of religion as an absolute !
necessity before the pope, who told her it /
would be impossible that such change
should obtain his remotest sympathy. !
The question remained usetted until the |
prince and princess OF Wales became
alarmed at the chance of the duke OF Fife |
nearing the throne. Pressure was then
put on the duke OF Clarence on every
side, family and cabinet reasons being
adduced against an alliance with the
house OF France. This pressure led to
his acceptance OF Princess Victoria Mary,
for whom he has shown cousinly !
liking.
Lord Salisbury has reopened negotia-
tions with the French foreign minister
for the settlement of the Newfoundland |
fisheries dispute. 1t is reported that
Lord Salisbury, in return for the sur
render of all French rights in New
wishes to cede to France the
Herver islands and the colony af Lagos. |
Gadstone's criticism of Goschen's |
one-pound note scheme has killed the |
chances of the bill in parliament.