The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-02-13
The Present Employment Of the
Politicians Of the British
Parliament
Everything Held In Allegiance Un-
til Balfour's Irish Bill Shall
Be Presented.
Significant Mobilization of sauadrons In
Front of Aisxandria-Why the Coal
Porters Struck.

copyright, 1892. New York Associated Press
LENDoN, Feb. 12.-Until Balfour intro
duces his Irish local governments bill, on
Thursday next. proceedings in parliament
will be mere party skirmishing. Though
the ministers decline to satisfy politicians
who Grave to know the gist of the Irish pro-
posals. the draft Of the bill, which 10 now in
type, is known to contain host OF clauses
rivaling in complexity Balfour's land act.
A high informant describes it rs in sub
stance the application of the English coun-
ty council act, without adhering strictly to
existing county areas. With view to pre-
tect the majoritv-that is. the conservative
streneth-in districts where the national
vote is strong. arbitrary electoral bonnda-
RIGS are created. Az in England. three
fourths of the members of each council
will be elected by rate payers. a
portion of the rest by coun-
cellors, and certain number by the
Irish executive. Councils are to have con-
troll of local police, excepting the appoint
ment of chief constables, control of lioens-
ing, administration Of the poor law, asy-
lums. industrial school and prisons, except
ing stated government prisons, and roads
to be maintained in lessened force. A con-
ference of Irish landlords recently sent Bal
four, through the duke Of Aberoorn, a de-
mand that clergymen Do excluded from
county boards, tho aim being to deprive the
priests of influence. Balfour declined
TO comply with the wishes Of the landlords.
Irish leaders Of both groups have de-
olared their readiness to adopt what they
can of Balfour's proposals, but concur that
the bill will be found in the main impossi-
BILE of acceptance. An early result of the
combined attack on this bill will be the
reunion of the Irish party.
There is something portentous in the
simultaneous assembling in the levant OF
the fleets Of the great powers. Since it be-
came known that the French and Russian
squadrens in the Mediterranean are going
to Alexandria, orders have been sent to
ths German Admiral Rohtschidt, now at
Smyrna to sail with his five war ships for
Piraous. where his squadron will be Joined
BY two italian iron clads, and division Of
the German squadron. Within fortnight
the united squadron Of the dreibund will bt
within cooperating distance of the Eng
lish feet at Alexandria, if the French design
to impress the khedive by q naval demon
stration. -3,
The real cause of the strike of coal port
ers is the fact that the mems leaders learned
that employers were combining to oust
union hands. Other unions side with the
coal porters. The strikers and masters had
a meeting to-day when the men offered tc
resume work on condition that all strikers
be reinstated and non union men dismissed
The masters refused. On account of the
deadlock small dealers raised the price 1OC
per cent. The strikers allow coal fol
hospitals and charitable institutions ia
leave the coal depots without interference.
In the commons Lord George Hamilton
said the accident to the ironclad Victoria
had been made the subject of inquiry. but
refused to give details. An Associated
press reporter learned. however, that the
accident was entirely due to oarelessness.
A crew was sent out to mark with buoy,
shoal the existence of which was
perfectly known to the officers. The shoal
is very narrow and extends from the shore.
The crew were instructed to proceed
along the shoal from the shore until ten
fathoms of water was reached, and then
mark the spot with buoy. When within
hundred yards of the end the boat got off
the shoal and IA the next sounding showed
over ten fathoms of water. the crew sup
posed it was NIL right, and placed the buoy
there. The Victoria then came along al
good speed, at right angles to the shoal, to
take position for torpedo practice. and pass
ing we'll outside the buoy suddenly struck
the shoal. Hon. Maurice Bourke, who.
with the navigating officer, is held respon-
sible for the accident, is q great chum of
the duke of Edinbura, having served with
him in Malta, and having visited Russia.