Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-10
BACK TO PROTECTION.
The Movement in England Spread
ing Like Wild Fire, and Has
GOBBLED THE WHOLE TORY PARTY.
A Guarded Fair Trade Plank Will Go Into
Their Next Platform.
VICTORIA VERY BUOYANT IN SPIRIT

COPYRIGHT. 1892. BY THE ASSOCIATED PREss.)
LONDON, Dec. 9-The annual Conserva-
tive caucus, known as the Union of Consti-
tutional Associations, will open Monday at
Sheffield. Over 1000 delegates are ex-.
pected to be present. The party managers
who resisted the clamor of the rank and
file for a protectionist platform have been
obliged to give way. The Conservative
lesders, though at heart protectionists,
recognize the fact that the adoption of pro-
lection as definite party plank would en-
able the Liberals to sweep the country at
the next general election. Even a declara-
tiop in favor of fair trade was deemed dan
gerous.
Eventually the feeling displayed at the
Agricultural Conference and now pervad-
ing the party compelled the Central E1ecu-
tive to accept resolutions protectionist in
spirit though veiled in form. One of the
resolutions that will be submitted to the
caucus declares that free trade is against
the best interests of the working classes
of Great Britain. Another pronounces it
necessary to regulate foreign imports by
countervailing duties, euphemism for pro-
lection that deceives nobody
An independent delegate has permission
to propose resolution against protective
duties, but the general expectation is that
the caucus will support reciprocity princi-
pies. The rapiditv with which protection
list ideas have become rampant is the great
est political phenomenon of the day.
Arthur j. Balfour will address the dele
gates on Tuesday He will probably tone
down the protection tendencies, but will
renew and accentuate the declarations In
favor of bi-metallism, which promises to be
among the leading tricks of the Conserva-
tive game
Breaking Up the Silver Conference.
Letters from the British delegates to the
Brussels conference announce their return
to England next week. They will not op-
pose whatever request the American dele
gates may make in regard to prolonged
adjournment The representative OF the
Associated Press has authority from high
source to state that the official delegates
Sir Charles Rivers Wilson and Sir c. Free
mantle, Deputy Master of the British Mint
do not expect the conference to be resumed
after adjournment, and that Bertram Currie
will decline to return to Brussels
Meanwhile Baron HerschelPs India Cur
rency Committee, which adjourned without
date until the Brussels Conference should
have ended, has resumed its sittings and is
taking evidence of experts. The members
of the committee seem to be strongly in
favor of the adoption of gold coinage In
India and the concurrent cessation OF the
free coinage of silver. What chiefly pre-
vents an early determination of this policy
is the uncertainty regarding the action of
the American Government. as the risk OF
he nt ha
would be increased ten-told under the sus-
pension of the silver act The committee
has strong reasons TO await developments In
the United States.
Latest Draft of the Home Rule Bill.
was sent to the Cabinet Ministers to-day.
Announcements to this effect have been
made at intervals during the past two |
months. The first draft was presented to !
the Cabinet early in October. Two amended |
drafts have since been prepared after con- |
sideration by the Cabinet Committee. The |
bill now in the hands OF the Ministers is
the latest form of the measure, but it can
not be pronounced inality.
Mr.. Jenkins, the Governments official |
counsel, who drafts all the leading bills, re- |
ceived Mr.. Gladstone's latest instructions
as to the technical form of the bill six |
weeks ago It is mark of the fully de- |
veloped stage of the scheme when the party |
counsel is summoned to give it shape in |
accordance with the party formulas, but |
the representative of the Associated Press |
has assured information that the financial |
clauses of the bill still remain undecided. |
The whole bill is subject to revision.
Thompson and the Bering Commission.
The new Canadian Premier, Sir John
Thompson. has not yet resigned his post as
member of the Bering Sea Commission.
The opinion is expressed in official quar-
ters here that, as the arbitration proceed
ings in Paris In February will be a mere
the adjourning of the proceed
ings in June will enable the Premier to
continue to co-opera te with Judge Harmon
during the pause of his duties in the Cana
dian Parliament
Home Secretary Asquith visited Port
land prison to-day and made long inspec-
tion of the conyicts and their quarters, es-
pecially in regard to the condition OF the
imprisoned Irish NationalistG.
The Court at Windsor is frightening up
under the unwonted current OF dinners and
given to long roll of successive
guests at the castle. The Queen shows
buoyancy of spirit unknown in her for
many years.
1t is understood that she was especially
pleased with the visit of Mr.. Gladstone,
Sir Lyon Playfair and Viscount Bridport