Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-27
WHAT WILL HE DO?
Rumors of Gladstone's Proposed Re-
tirement Circulated.
HIS EYES ARE TROUBLING hin
Lord Rosebery May Be Temporary
Premier.
GENERAL FOREIGN NEWS

LONDON Feb. 27.-The political world Is
once more greatly agitated by renewed ru-
mors to the effect that Mr.. Gladstone in
tends to retire from Office. OF course the
fl frequency with which these reports have
been circulated of late has done much to
discount any effect which they might have;
but every time new report concerning
Mr. Gladstone's intention to retire from the
leadership of the liberal party is put in cir
culation there seems to be a positive panic
among his most loyal followers and cor
responding feeling of Encouragement among
the enemies Of the great English statesman
and his policy.
The latest scare news Is furnished by
the Edinburgh Evening News, which an
nounces upon what 1t classes as reliable
authority the fact that Mr.. Gladstone has
resigned the premiership: but. the Evening
News adds. he will retain his seat in the
cabinet. and will also continue to represent
Midlothian in the house of commons.
The Morning News publishes an uncon-
firmed rumor to the effect that Mr.. Glad
stone informed the queen yesterday that he
was about to undergo an operation for his
eyes. and that he desired the royal sane
ton to Lord Rosebery's acting as premier
pro TEN.
The Chronicle says: A lobbyist, discussing
cessor OF Mr.. Gladstone should he resign.
said he believed 1t was settled that Lord
Rcsebery would be premier and Sir Will
lam Harcourt leader in the house Of COM
mons
The Standard says: The persistent rumors
OF Mr.. Gladstone's impending resignation
are beginning to cause disQuiet among his
own supporters although no immediate &C.
ton is expected by them.
Mr.. L. p. O'Connor, NJ. p, writing to the
Sun today says. in connection with the
rumor that Mr. Gladstone has resigned. and
apparently tending to confirm the report,
For some time something like a panic
has existed among his supporters in the
lobbies Yesterday evening the rumor was
current that his resignation was to be ex-
pected during the course Of the week. Com
petent authority gives his eyesight IS the
actual reason for his resignation; but the
situation Is further aggravated by the posi-
ton OF certain members Of the cabinet with
fererence to the naval program. The premier
had to face the possibility of Earl Spencer,
the first lord OF the admiralty resigning
The cataract in the premier's eye Is not yet
spend six weeks In darkness. Not one has
the least idea what any day may bring
forth; though my own opinion Is that Mr..
Gladstone will refuse to leave the ship"
When questioned as to the accuracy Of
the report Mr.. Gladstone's secretary re-
fused to give a direct answer, simply reit-
Grating his former statement that the News
had no authorization to make the state
in political circles
1t Is now recalled that some establishment
was caused on Saturday last by the fact
that the Earl of Rosebery, secretary Of
state for foreign affairs, while on his way
to visit the Prince and Princess Of Wales
at Sandringham, was hurriedly called back
to the foreign office by a dispatch which
was handed to him at Newmarket. The
Earl Of Rosebery returned to London by
special train and went Immediately to the
foreign office. The excuse given out for
this sudden change of Intentions was that
his hurried return was due to a cabinet
consultation being necessary in view of the
defeats sustained by the sailors of the
British warships Raleigh and Widgeon. en-
the Gambia coast OF Africa. 1t is now
stated that the return of the Earl of Rose
berry was due to an important announce
ment made by Mr.. Gladstone to one Of the
cabinet ministers. and it is said that this
announcement practically amounted to
statement that he had decided to forward
his resignation to her majesty.
A physician visited Mr.. Gladstone today
and remained with him for some time,
but the premier devoted the morning to
his usual official work and was visited fire.
quently by the patronage secretary to the
treasury, the Right Hon. Edward Majori-
banks. who is also the liberal whip.