The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-02-23
is HOME RULE DEAD?
Sir Edwin Arnold Discusses Brit
iSh Politics.
The Famous Traveller and Author Talks About
Gladstone, Salisbury and the En-
glish Government.

gIlsn Government.
Sir Edwin Arnold, the well-knOwn author,
journalist and lecturer arrived in the city
last night and is at the Palace. He is look
ing we'll and has entirely recovered from the
recent attack of Ia grippe, which tenn
porariy deprived him of his voice and
obliged him to cancel most Of his platform
engagements
Sir Edwin talked pleasantly and enter
tainingly of his overland trip, which he has
borne with little fatigue. Prior to his de-
parture from New York week ago he
had been the guest of Andrew Carnegie,
but was obliged to forego his contemplated
visit TO Mexico with the latter gentleman.
In compliance with a request for a state
ment OF his views upon the present pOIiti-
cal situation in England. Sir Edwin dis
cussed very frankly the status of the irish
question, the prospects of a parliamentary
dissolution and the probable result of a
general election.
81 received a letter from Lord Salisbury
a few days ago." he said. land while the
Prime Minister is too wise a statesman and
too shrewd a politician to give any express
sion u his intentions, | came to the con-
cuSiOn, after reading between the lines,
shat he will not dissolve Parliament this
year, and why should be? The life of the
present Parliament does not expire until
the spring Of 1893. aud il | We're Prime
81 years OF age, | should take no
chances in an election, but Ould maintain
the Ministry until the entire expiration Of
my seven years term"
RESULT OF AN ELECTION.
IF an election were held now what would
be the result?" the sayant was asked.
"A man is foolish 10 pTOphesy the result
Of an election" he replied, particularly
with journalistic experience of thiTty-0ne
years. \ number Of years ago the then
Prime Minister OF England asked my
opinion Of bis chances for a new lease Of
power, and | thought be vas certain of re-
election and said so: but his opponent
captured the citadel with a majority Of
foTty-hve in the House Of Commons.
think ! am safe IN saying, however, that an
election IN Great Britain tomorrow would
give no decisive victory to either party, and
the majority 10 any case would be so small
as 10 hamper the work OF the Government
and render necessary another election in the
near future.
suppose Mr. Gladstone had majority of
twenty-five in the House Of Commons he
would be Unable TO carry out any Radical
policy. II is only human in his opponents
TO measure the span Of his life, aud while
have more years, it is hardly likely that
these will be greatly prolonged. With his
disappearance from the arena of British
politics would come a dissolution Of the
present political parties, anu a complete re-
organization upon radically different lines"
GLADsToNE's SUCCESSOR.
"WhO will probably be Mr.. GladstOne's
successor, Sir Edwin?'
That is almost impossible to predict. In
the present GladstOnlan party there is no
prominent member endowed with the high
est qualifications for leadership. Neither
John Morley nor Sir William Vernon Har-
court could take up the lines where thejgrand
old man laid them down. The MARQUIS Of
Harrington, now the Duke Of Devonshire,
and joseph Chamberlain would both make
capable leaders. The latter is a man Of
great ability. and the former inspires an un-
usual degree OF confidence among his sup
pOTters."
rs there any prospect Of union be-
tween the GladstOnians and Liberal i MON
lists ?''
"None whatever. They are like two
metals in mineral which have been
separated by n chemist. They NAV be
afterward combined in the same crucible
but their original union can never be ac-
cOmDllshed. The Liberal Unionists might
perhaps. be more accurately termed Liberal
Conservatives, while the GladstOnians rep
resented the more radical tendencies in the
House OF Commons"
What about the present status Of the
hOme-rule question 2"
with the death of Parueu home rule
died also. Englshmen have no faith in the
proposition and even the Irish members
have lost confidence in its accomplishment
since the demise Of their leader. TIE home
rule party Is divided, its aims are diversified
and It's enthusiasm dead. The prospects
Tor home rule grow DINNER every dav.
n conversation with Mr. CI,-l.toro
six years ago, said to him: Suppose Won
gave Ireland the home rule for which she
is clam0rlng, and established a Parliament
at Dublin. In six weeks the members
would preciptate a revolution
THE MISTAKE OF HIS LIFE.
" In his espousa of the home-rule cause
Mr.. Gladstone forgot that he was states
man and became, on that question. a noIIti-
clan. In his desire TO perpetuate ms mower.
lie made the mistake Of his life. Had he
not Endorsed that chimerical fantasy he
would have been Prime Minister of En-
gland to-day, and could have successfully
effected any of the other reforms nnon
which The Liberal party~yas in accord with
him. honor, revere and love Gladstone.
and agree with him in lis views regarding
church disestablishment and Kindred nues-
tlons, and differ from him when 1t comes TO
home rule.
MI Balfour has been severely handled
by the press since his assumpiion of the
Government leadership in the House of
Commons ] have known him for wears
and regard him as capable and Intelligent
parllamentarian, man of bright ideas and
fruitful resources. | think he Will do we'll
and will hold the Conservative Marty to-
gether." P"'''
Sir Edwin Arnold will remain in the CITY
until the departure of the next Japan steam
eT;, upon which he has engaged passage.
The steamer will leave In about fen DAYS
and he does not intend to make a public ap-
pgearance in this city during the Interim
mesa me says tnat ne IS eng ,ged in no special lit
ploylng his leisure hours lately in the
and art. 'F"'