The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-02-28
GLADSTONE TO RETIRE.
ALMOST CERTAIN THAT ne WILL
RESIGN THE PREMIERSHIP
At no Distant Day-wi Lord Roseberry or
Earl Spencer be His successor-Case
OF Resignation.

hty III ~ way SuSBtollllS thdt th'AN Ah"s
be some foundation in the report.
The Pail Mall Gazette. st. James
Gazette, and Westminster Gazette pub
lish articles almost identical I'm sub
stance, indicating that Mr.. Gladstone viii
resign at an early date The reason given
in each case is that the premiers eye
sight is failing so fast that vision will
become wholly obscured If he does not
Immediately retire from active political
duty.
II is also stated that it was the inten-
ton OF Mr.. Gladstone 10 allude to his
approaching resignation in the House of
Commons yesterday, but was dissuaded
by his colleagues from doing 50.
EDINBURG, Feb 1.-THE Evening
News declares that Gladstone has resign
ed. TO take effect at Easter Also that the
Premiership was offered TO Lord Rose
berry. who declined it. and then offered
TO Earl Spencer who accepted 1t.
Gladstone Weary of Censure.
LONDON, Feb. 27.--Though the condi-
tion of Slr. Gladstone's eyes is regarded
al "A sufficient reason for his wishing 10
lay down the cares of Office, It - not
believed 10 be the real reason for his res
lgnation, II the present report that ne has
resigned be true. owing 10 his great age
and waning physical power, he Is unable
10 Withstand the shafts Of criticism hurl-
ed at him as he was "A few years, or
even a few months, ago Where then they
would glance from him as from an armor,
they now pierce him. 10 is also true that
he has recently been deeply affected by
the comments OF his political allies and
friends on his course In regard 10 several
party measures. These evidences OF In
gratitude have panied him severely. Ills
course I'm Withdrawing the Employers
Liability bill, when many Of his followers
were clamoring FOR parliamentary fight
against the House Of Lords. with the
ultimate view Of compelling the abolition
Of the hereditary body. has driven the
more Radical OF his adherents TO declare
that his Democracy has undergone a
change, and this accusation they have
taken great pains should reach his ears.
All these things, IL is believed, have made
him simply tired.
I'll. Reports Neither Affirmed or Denied.
The private secretary Of the Premier
will neither affirm nor deny the reports.
The most he will say is that the positive
statement Of the Edinburgh Evening News
that Mr.. Gladstone had resigned is 'en-
tirely unauthorized Asked AS TO the ac-
curacy of the statements, the secretary,
instead Of giving direct answer, merely
reiterated his former statement that the
Evening News had made the statements
without receiving authorization.
The fact that the Earl OF Roseberry
while on his way to visit the Prince and
Princess Of Wales at Sandring
ham last Saturday was handed
a dispatch at New Market aud
Immediately returned 10 the Foreign Of
fee. while attractine no attention AT the
time. s now believed TO have had di-
rect bearing ON the question which is ROW
causing so much agitation in political
circles. Mr. Giadstones retirement in
: ord Roseherry s. f7vor The excuse given
ont ct the time for Lord Roseberry's sud
den return was that he was summoned
back for a consultation made necessary
by the defeat Of the British sailors on
the west coast Of Africa. II is now said,
however, that the reason for the return
Of the Secretary Of State for Foreign Az
fairs was that an important announcement
had been made by Mr.. Gladstone, the
effect Of which announcement. it is be-
lieved, was that he intended 20 resign.
Mr. Gladstone was visited to-day by
a physician, who remained with him for
some time The Premier attended 10 his
official duties during the morning. how
ever. and received several visitors among
them the Liberal whip. Edward Mar
joribanks.
Both Hearing and Eyesight Failing.
Inquiries made tonight tend To confirm
the report that Gladstone's resignation
IS inevitable within a few weeks. Since
Gladstone's return from Biarritz the cata-
ract which has been forming IN his eye
has rpencd fast. and DR.. Bond, DR..
Granger and other physicians whom he
has consulted consider an early operation
advisable The treatment Will necessarily
involve seclusion I'm a darkened room for
a long time, probably three months, with
complete cessation OF all work attended
by brain strain or worry.
Mr.. Gladstone's colleagues wish him Ia
postpone his resignation Of the premier
shin until the latest possible moment. and
10 keep a sinecure seat In the Cabinet
such as by taking the office OF Lord Privy
Seal.
Liberals are divided in opinion as t'
whether Mr. GladstOne's retirement VII
be temporary or permanent Nr. Glad
stone himself freely tells his friends thai
his hearing is going with his sight H'
health otherwise. however is still vigOr'
Gus. His voice in last nights debate II
the House Of Commons was full and clear
and his bearing was upright ana nrm
The Radicals, who believe him an obstacle
10 the reform Of the House OF Lords, hold
that Mr.. Gladstone withdrawal from the
ministry will be final.
Roseberty the Coming Man.
The Edlnburg Evening News. in COM
mentin. upon the report that Gladstone
| had resigned, and that he will recommend
| Lord Rosebery as his successor, recalls
| "A speech made by Mr.. Gladstone al Man
| chester in June, 1883, in which he said
| Lord Rosebery is a man Of whom you
| will hear more than you have yet heard.
| In him the Liberal party sees man oi
| the future
The ssme journal adds "As Lord Rose
harv has been for many years an al
| vocate of ending, under the suise OF
rnending the House of Lords ever i'au-
| ical incorruptibies ought TO give MN ioyai
srpport. Lberal5 generally must asA
whether under Lord koseberv or 9T " IL
| liam Harcourt they couid 90 neiole ''ie
no,ntrv with the b sst chance OF success.
There can hardy be t"V Oiiii'''''' -
| Rosebery is the man
c,.dstcne and 8iorIev Den unced.
DUBLIN. Feb. E.-The Dublin Dranch
| of the Irish National League helu sp,-
| cial session last night, at wnlch the loi-
lowing resolution was passed:
..We avail ourselves Of the presence OF
Mr. Morley to point out that ne ana
| the Government have failed 10 Keep the
| nromlses made TO Ireland
Iohn Barry. NJ. +. for South wexford
cooda a speech. in which ne expressed "A
iack OF confidence in Mr. Morley. ana
alluded To Mr. Gladstone as the Srand
old humDug. "a. ..,.i,s,