The evening world., 1894-02-28
C%LADSTONE'S EXIT,
Liberal Papers Insist that Home
Rule Will Survive It.
While The Times Says II viii Lead
to Dropping That Issue.
Physical Inability Alone VIII Cause
the Premier's Retirement.
(By Associated Prea.i

LONDON. Feb. 2S.-In connection with
the story Of Mr.. Gladstone's coming re-
tirement, It Is stated that the venerable
Premier is understood to have made a
proposal to his colleagues to revive the
Home Rule question in the shape Of a
resolution pledging the House OF Com
mons to deal with Home Rule for Ire
land at the following session Of Parlia-
ment.
This proposal Is said not to have found
favor with the Cabinet Ministers.
The Independent, Of Dublin. accepts the
reports Of Mr.. Gladstone's retirement as
meanig that the movement in favor
Of Home Rule will be dropped.
The Freeman's Journal party will con-
tinue to insist that the settlement OF the
Irish question Is 10 be the controlling
aim of whatever Ministry governs.
| The Chronicle says that the retirement
Of Mr.. Gladstone IL imminent. 1t ID
almost an open secret hat his eyesight
is no longer equal to even the least i'm
portant duties Of a political leader.
All stories OF dissension or ~disappoint-
ment at legislation being baked may be
dismissed as wholly unaffecting his de-
cision. When Mr.. Gladstone resigns the
wand 1t will be because his hand can nc
longer WELD It, and for no other reason
whatever. The paper says 1t Is prob
able that no decision has yet been reach
ed as to the moment of his resignation.
It Is announced that Mr.. Sexton, M. p.
for Kerry, has already taken steps to
obtain pledges with regard to Home
| Rule, In the event OF Lord Rosebery
or the Earl OF Spencer becoming Pre-
mier.
The Standard believes 1t il a fact that
| MI. G%!adstone's eyesight ID growing
much worse, and that an operation will
soon be necessary. Recognising this
fact, Mr.. Gladstone informed his col
leagues that his early retirement was
inevitable. but he hoped that II would
be only temporary. He told them Ina
he would resume the Premiership should
his eyes become strong enough to war
rant 1t.
The Times thinks that the denial OF
Mr.. G%ladstone's actual resignation may
be accepted without question. by those
unable to adopt the inference that the
alarm in the Radical camp was alto
gether causeless, but 1t can hardly be
doubted that a semi-oficial denial sig.
nifes a ~postponement Of the crisis.
Lord Rosebery's leadership would be
far more satisfactory to the country
generally than that OF any other Glad.
stonian.
The Times declares that whatever 4,
done about the leadership. 1t Is certain
that Home Rule will be dropped. and
that nathan Lord Rosehary nor Sir VIII
lam Vernon Harcourt is likely to reviv,
II. The Times adds: However they ma,
differ upon other points, they know per
fectly well that the British public is sici
Of paying blackmail to criminal con
spirators."
In spite Of the cold Mr.. Gladston,
drove from his oficial residence (,
Buckingham Palace. In an pen phaeton
at 8 O'Clock this afternoon. Upon arriv
Ing at the palace Mr.. Gladstone was i'm
mediately admitted to the presence o
the Queen.
1t is freely stated that II Is believed
that Mr.. Gladstone has gone to the Pal
ace in order to oficially tender his resig
nation to Her Majesty.
After Mr.. Giadstone's return from
Buckingham Palace to Downing stree
the Associated Press correspondent calle
) at the Premler's residence, and was ~
\ ceived by Mr.. Littieton. the Secretary.
Mr.. Littleton said that Mr.. Gladston
had not resigned. and later added tina
, the situation OF affairs wal the sam
: as when the Biarritz despatch was SEN
after the frs. report Of Mr.. Gladstone
impending retirement.