The morning call., 1892-08-28
MADSTONE'S RETIREMENT.
Tie English Conservatives Predict His
Downfall by Easter.
CAUSE OF LABOUCHERE'S EXCLUSION.
The Responsibility Rests With The Premier -LahoB
there'S CauStit RepIy-PreSsure Of Home
Rule FartisanS.
Special TO THE MORNING CALI.

NEW YORK. Aug. 27-The Tribune.
special cablegram from London saws. with
that charming freedom from prejudice that
marks an enterprIsng news agency. one
has telegraphed TO Hawarden with the
genial Inquiry as to whether it is true that
Gladstone intends retiring from the Prem.
iership in the spring. The Premier gravely
replied that the rumor is entirely ground
less There are, nevertheless, a consider
able number of people. chiefly on the Con-
servative side, who comfort themselves with
the assurance that such conclusion is in
evitable
With grim particularly they fix Easter as
the date of Gladstone's breakdown, and ash
each other what will happen as to the
leadership of the party and the destnies OF
home rule. 1t is foreseen that a struggle
for Elijah's mantle will take place between
Rosebery and Harcourt. Rosebery is
heavily handicapped by his peerage. The
Radicals are determined never again TO have
Premier in the House of Lords. Labou-
rnere has already openly declared in favor
of Harcourt.
Labouchere's statement of the reason for
his exclusion from Office appeared in Truth
Wednesday. The Liberal papers ignored
1t, but the Times and the other anti-Glad-
stone journals seized the opportunity td
=
was deliberately designed to draw from
Gladstone statement on the subject. This
came forth promptly. Gladstone has writ
ten dignifed letter to Labouchefe, which
VIII be printed in next weeks Truth. [
have been privileged to see it, together
with Labouchere's reply. Gladstone, with
out categorically denying Labouchere's
statement that the Queen personally vetoed
his Inclusion in the Ministry, takes on him.
self the full responsibility for the arrange
ment Of the Ministry.
In characteristic sentence he acknoyI-
edges the value of Labouchere's services to
the party, but says there are circumstances,
neither impugning his honor nor detraeting
from his merits, which made it impossible
to invite him to become a servant of the
crown. Labouehere, In reply. significantly
compliments Gladstone on the chivalry
which induces him to take upon Himself the
sole responsibility of the proceeding. He
protests that he cares nothing for Office, de-
clares himself unswerying In his loyalty to
MS reyered leader, and slyly takes the op
portunlty Of lecturing him on his duty, and
once more urging the desira0ility of not per-
mlttlng the Radical demands TO be swamped
by tue pressure of home rule
lola is at Lonrdes, studying the details Of
the annual pilgrimage now in foreeg He
meets trainloads of sick people arriving
hourly. He walks by the side of the
stfetchers on which the MANNED are carried
to the shrine. lie talks 10 the cripples,
CIoSS-eAaHlLneS them ana MIS- his notebook
with more or less admirable copy.
The fine weather. occasionally varied by
thunderstorms. now prevalent. improves
the harvest prospects, though coming too
late TO greatly vary the general conclusions.
These point to bad times for the agriculture
ists The barley crop is considerably above
the average, but wheat is sadly below As
for hay, the harvest is the worst for many
years, both in luantity and quality Il ia
clear that the necessity for large importa-
tions of wheat viii weigh heavily upon the
country.