New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-10
PROSPECTS ron HOME RULE.

YKOSf 10 fOH hp4h' "NH''
The results of the English elections so far
As they arc known are in one respect decisive.
That the UnionistS have met with serious
reverse is undcnabe. Lord Salisbury Appealed
10 the country on the strength OF the record
Of six wears of Unonst legislation and admin
istration. The great majority of Is which he
secured in 1886 has been wiped out. Whether
the Gladstonans are disappointed or not IN a
minority ranging from % to 90, which they
have apparcntly secured. the Unionists have
little cause for elation. For six years they have
becn carving out an alternative policy Tor
Home Rule. Their majority in the last Parlla-
mon, sank from lis to 6s at the close. They
deferred the general elections as long as they
we're able. and then asked for public judgment
upon their acts The country has gone against
them. The popular vote in the contested
borough elections cited in our special dispatches
is: Home Rule. 1,122,765, and Umonist'
,o1 o4S As the main source Of Gladst0man
STRENGTH is in the counties, the figures Will bear
heavily against the Unionists before the END
Of the polling Not only has their majority III
Parliament disappeared, but their enormous
PLURALITY on the popular vote has been con-
yerted into minority. The verdict Oh 'he
country is Enthusiastically uniayorabe 10 the
Jnionist Government
In another respect the elections are lnde-
cisivc. Mr.. Gladstoncs majority, unless the
nolIincs still 10 be recorded prove unexpectedIy
favorable. will not he so large as the IrienuS
Of Home Rule-and TIE TRIBUNE has always
been consistent in its sympathy for thai cause
have been hoping to secure. Remarkaoie as
have been the Liberal gains in London ana
elsewhere, they have been partly counterac'eu
bv losses in the north and in Ireland caused
nv divisions in the party. If there had not
been Two Liberals against one Conservative III
strong Radical constituencies, and if the irish
Marty had presented the same united front
v.hich was witnessed under Mr.. Palneii
mostorlv leadership the result would nave poem
markedly different. As it is. rho majority Tor
Mr.. Gladstone is likely 10 prove so slender ma,
if is doubtful if he can carry Home huIc Dill
through the Commons. Certainly he cannot
do this without hearty support from both irSh
factions: and the majority for il in any case
will he so narrow that the House OF Lords VIII
have no hesitation in defeating it. Indeed the
issues involved in the election have been so
numerous and conflicting that the new fariia-
mcnt can hardly be expected either 70 sc'Ie
the Irish question. or to have very long lease
of life. We hope that this forecast VIII he
unset by later election returns Overwhelmingly
in favor of Mr.. Gladstone but as the hGnrcS
now stand. decisive victory for Home k'le
has not been won.
II will be clearly impraeticablc Tor Lofu
c,lisburv 10 conduct the Government IN inc
...cc of the great increase of the Opposition.
Mr.. Gladstone if he can muster with me anu
os the Irish members a clear majority OF "a. or
30. will probably be forced TO enter upon Once.
The difficulty of passing Ilome-Rule Dill VIII
he very great hnt If the Irish members respond
svmpathctically 10 The ovcrtures made by the
Conference Committee, which has recently icit
the United States on a mission OF peace, ~ may
not be impracticable to force the measure
through tho Commons When il is hung up
in the Lords, as will undoubtedly be lis tate
the Liberals will have an opportunity Tor
STRENGTHENING their position in that great work
ing England which has disclosed in the elections
its social discomfort and Radical bent. Home
Rule has become an accepted doctrine OF the
nrovressiye party which is in close contact with
the masses in town and country II may not
be enacted by the new Parliament, but 1t VIII
Mt least be formulated as a detailed scheme by
tbc great Liberal leader. The party which has
snpported it may be markedly strengthened by
legislation on labor and social questions, so
that victory for Home Rule may ultimately
and perhaps speedily be achieved.