Evening journal., 1894-02-28
aLADSTOaE'S EYESIGHT
It Is Believed That He Must
Soon Retire.
AN OPERATION TO BE PERFORMED,

There Are ,iary Reports That Hts Rcsig-
nation VIII Soon iir sent In, and the
Denials Are Not Stronghold Rosebefy
Named as His Successor
LONDON. Feb. 2S.--The Chronicle says
that the retirement OF Mr.. Gladstone Is i'm
minent II Is almost an open secret TINT
h.s eyosipAt is no longer equal even 70 tho
least important duties Of political leader.
All stories OF dissension or disappointment
al LEGISLATION heing balked may be dis
missed as wholly rnaiiecting his decision.
When Mr.. Gladstone resigns the wand,
81 viii be because his hand can no longer
WELD it, and for no other reason whatever.
10 is probable that no decision has yet
been reached as to the moment Of his resig-
nation. IL Is announced that Mr.. Sexton,
II r. for Kerry, has already taken steps
10 obtain pledges with regard to home rule
in the event OF Lord Rosebery or the Earl
of Spencer becoming premier.
Tho Standard believes II Is fact that
MI Gladstone's eyesght Ia growing much
worse and that an operation will soon be
necessary Recognizing this fact, Mr.. Glad
stone informed his colleagues that his early
retirement was inevitable but he hoped
that 10 wo1ld be ouly temporary. He told
them that he would resume the premier
ship should his eyes become strong enough
to warrant il.
Rosebery's Leadership Acceptable.
The Times thinks that the denial Of Mr..
Gladstone's actual resignation may be ac-
| ceptei without question by those unable to
adopt the inference that the alarm in the
ladical camp vas altogether causeless,
but 1t eau hardly be doubted that semi.
/ official denial signifies postponement OF
the crisis. Lord Rosebery's leadership.
would be lar more satisfactory to the coun.
try generally than that Of any other Glad.
| stonian.
The Daily News says that Mr.. Gladstone
has taken no step in the direction Of re-
signing. The Earl Of Rosebery's visit to
tue queen had no relation, il adds, to the
current political rumors.
the Daily News, further commenting on
the rumors about Mr.. Gladstone says that
in view Of his are il is only right that the
Liberals should ousider the future. II the
miimities of o so make his onerous duties
irksome, it would be iuhuman to keep Mr..
Gladstone at his post merely because of a
| difference of opinion prevailing in reference
10 the choice OF his successor The Daily
| News strongly recommends the Earl of
Roscbery, but adds that there will be 10
whisper Of discontentment with Mr.. Glad
stones supremacy 50 long as ne is willing
10 remain supreme.
In an interview Chairman Cowan Of the
Midlothian Liberal association stated that
Mr. Glads stone had often said to him that
he would take the earliest opportunity foi
re-igning
The Trades Union council has issued q
manifesto in regard TO the action of th,
house Of lords on the employers liability
b.N. The manifesto appeals TO the work
inrmen OF Great Britain not to allow
body Of irresponsible legislators to bloch
Industrial progress.
l1 adds that the present crisis affords ar
excellent occasion to drive home au effect
ivc lesson of resistance to such violent an,
arbitrary power. 10 concludes by urging
the attendance Of workiugmen al grea
demonstration TO be heid in Hyde park ol
March Is and also asks them TO join in th
procession to the meeting place.