The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-03-05
The New Prime Minister Of England

1t is settled that Mr.. GLADSTONE Is to be
succeeded In the leadership OF the Liberal
party by Lord RosEDEBY. That is to say.
the most experienced OF statesmen gives
place to one OF his least tried lieutenauts: the
man Of eighty-four to the man Of forty-six;
the great commoner OF this century. who
has repeatedly refused peerage. to q
representative OF the hereditary assembly
to the destruction Of which the Liberals
were but yesterday committed.
Two months ago. and even as lately as
two weeks ago. 1t was not expected that the
post Of Premier. should 1t be resigned by
Mr.. GLADSTONE. would be taken by Lord
Rosemary. 1t was assumed by the great
majority Of newspapers in the United
Kingdom that Sir WILLIAM VERNON HAIR
COURT. by reason Of his long public SER
vice, his dexterity In debate, and his posses
sion OF the confidence Of the Radicals and
the McCarthyites. would eventually become
the head OF the Liberal party. especially as
It had signifed more than once the convic-
ton that Its leader ought to DO member OF
the House OF Commons. But. aside from his
domineering ways and uncertain temper.
which have made conference with him irk-
some TO his colleagues and might make SER
vice under him intolerable. Sir WILLIAM
HARcoURT is threatened with the same
disability. loss OF sight. which has com.
PEELED Mr.. GLADSTONE to retire. In view Of
these considerations 1t has lately been be-
ieved In well-informed quarters that Sir
WILLIAM would be passed over, and that
the Queen would be advised to offer the
Premiership to Lord SPENCER. who is I'M
derstood to be much more acceptable than
Lord RosEBERY to the group OF Radicals
which finds a spokesman In MIR. LABoU-
CHERE. But during the last fortnight there
has been such an outburst OF opinion. either
voluntary or artfully concerted. In favor OF
Lord RosEBERY from every section Of the
Liberal party. except one. and from all
ranks Of society from the royal family to
the representatives OF labor, that the
Queen. In inviting the Secretary for Foreign
Affairs to form a Cabinet. may well feel
that she Is recognizing kind OF plebiscite.
informal though 1t DO.
Can Lord RosEBERY keep the place to
which he has been by stroke OF good for
tune raised The normal majority OF the
Gladstonlans In the House Of Commons has
ranged during the last session from SO to
~; In other words. change OF about twenty
votes from one side to the other would de-
stroy 1t. Now We assume that most OF the
70 McCarthyites will continue to act with
the Liberal party. provided the new Prime
Minister makes satisfactory promises with
regard to homo rule and the relief OF eylcted
tenants. But can the McCarthyites be SO
firmly held together as to prevent the de-
lection OF at least fraction OF their num-
Der. in the event OF Lord RosEBERYs refus-
ing amnesty to Irish political prisoners: a
refusal he 10 almost sure to make? 1t Is
certain that the Parnellites, unless they
can secure the desired concession on this
last-nAmed point. will vote with the Opposi-
ton. and then the decisive question would be
how many OF the British Radicals could
Dir. LABoUcHERB draw into the cave. which
he is avowedly organizing against the ROSE
Berry government. Those who denounce
Mr. LABoUCHERRs characterization and be-
little his influence. assert that he cannot
obtain more than ten followers; but ten,
working In combination with the nine Par
nellites. would be enough to upset the Cab
met. In addition to the danger resulting
from even a small Radical cave. Lord RosE-
Berry will have to face the risk OF a mutiny
among the Welsh members. unless before
the next general election he tries TO pass a
bill for the disestAblishment OF the Augll-
can Church In Wales: bill for which he
can hardly hope 10 gain the unanimous
support OF English Liberals.
1t is clear. in fact. that Lord RosEBERY
will find 1t no easy task to keep Mr.. GLAD
STONES mantle on his shoulders. and that he
will have need OF all ofthe tact and sagaeity
which he evinced In the organization and
management OF the London County Coun-
all and IafaIxy In ha "a
the great coal strike.