The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-25
The English Conservatives Have
Committed Themselves to
the New Departure.
The Political Situation in Portu-
gal Is Reported to Be
Critical.
An Envoy From Chill in Quest OF Funds
Atrocities of the War in That 4
Country.

tCopyright. 1901. New York Associated Press. I
LONDON, April 24.-There is much con-
graduation among the members of the
commons that the conservatives have COM
mitted themselves to free education, but
much diversity of opinion as to how the
new departure would affect the party's
future. No one doubts that the govern.
ment has made coup with view to the
general election. Conservatives who dis
like the measure accept it because of their
desire to associate the name of the party
with an immense boon to town working
men and rural laborers, but the liberals
reason that Tory action cannot take from
them the credit of a measure for which
they have long fought. The opposition has
further and stronger reasons to hail the
government scheme, containing, as it does.
abundant possibilities for party disruption
and widespread national discomfort.
There will probably be UNCONVENTIONAL
trouble, etc. According to high authority,
the cabinet plans, however simply involve
free education in lower standards, assisted
education in higher standards and in
creased grants to UNCONVENTIONAL schools.
No change will be made in the system of
control except that parents shall have
power to elect part of the board. Solid op-
position of liberals on this latter point may
give the conservatives disastrous check
on the eve of dissolution.
The English government is evincing the
greatest interest in the Chicago Worlds
fair and has decided to make n handsome
appropriation. This is I'm unusual sign of
friendliness as no appropriation was
made for P2ris. While everything is fav-
orable as far as the government and
influential persons are concerned. it must
be admitted that probable exhibitors
show indifference, entirely owing to lack
Of information and the absence of any
means to supply it. Chicago must bestir
herself if she wishes England freely repre-
Gented.
The foreign office has received alarming
Rdvices from Lisbon. The English minis
ter, Glynn Petre, represents the political
situation as critical. The Portuguese
cabinet ought to submit the new English
premier pleads for an extension Of the
modus vivendi and delay in the publishing
Of the convention in order to give time for
the abatement 1T excitement against Eng
land. which is imperiling the position of
the government.
The Newfoundland delegates express
themselves gratifed at their reception in
the house of lords. Since their statement
in the lords they have received many ell
couraging promises of support from officers
and members of the commons.
A Chilian envoy, Senor Godoy, has been
here trying to negotiate a loan of 81 500, 900
for President Balmaceda. London fnan-
ciers having declined to advance the money
he went to Paris, where he continues to
search for syndicate to take the loan. He
has every chance of success. Godoy asserts
that Balmaceda has still plenty of money
to pay troops WITH and sooner or later
will overthrow the insurgents. His
declarations in regard to the state
of the exchequer are doubted in
view of the fact that the Chilian cruisers
built in France cannot leave because two
ffths of the price stipulated to be paid
after final trial is not forthcoming. Senior
Godoy is now about to go north to seek
financial help.
Gladstone has decided to support the
divorce reform bill introduced by Hunter
This amazes the liberals, who believed he
would oppose any extension of divorce as a
matter of religious principle. The bill en-
titles the wife to dissolution of the mar
riage tie in the event of adultery or four
years desertion on the part of the husband.
The house of lords will reject it as the
bishops will congregate against it,
British consular reports from Spain and
Portugal announce the remarkable success
of the system of grating American on na-
tive vines. which result in the prevention
of phyllxera and producing good wine. The
consul at Madeira writes that large
amount of new vines. mostly American, has
been planted in districts most celebrated
for their wine and produces superior
quality. On the north side of the island
where all vines were DESTROYED by phyllxera
years ago, the new vines have given their
first fine Orop