The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-01
Gladstone Likely Soon to Lay
Down His Public Burdens.
ENGLAND MUCH EXCITED.
4 Wide Belief that He Fears War
Is Impending.

,.a, n. Nay Retire st Any Tims-His
Growing I.nrrnitie- May sudde.iy later
,,,, ri. Tenure OF Omoe-Duties Hs May
For..ee That Are Far Beyosd H,s
streng.h to A,.une-Nothiue Else Talked
orat the Ciub.-B.ifour says . oeser.i
Election Is CorriuG Very soor-Commert.
Of Thi- NJ oruinE's Loudo. Newspapers,
LONDON. Jan. 31.-In the most positive Lam
suaee tho Pail Mall Gazette affirmed to-day
that Mr.. Gladstone will within q few days re-
.irn the ONCE Of Prime Minister Of Great
Britain This announcement. II true. will
have in many minds portentous and mighty
significance not only for England. but for Eu-
rope and the world. Opinions differ as to the
truth Of the report. It was received at first
with incredulIty on all sldes Second thoughts
gave It more weight. II Mr.. Astor 10 respon-
sble for the announcement II Is entitled to
far more credence than the uttorsnce OF an Or
binary English newspaper. His sources OF
information include men to whom such mo-
mentous State secrets would be known a. seon
as to any one. Both personally and as pro-
pristor OF q prominent Journal he has every
thing to lose and nothing to gain By startlin ne
the country with gigantic falsehood.
London became intensely Interested as the
hours passed and no authoritative word was
forthcoming. The Government ofices were
besieged by crowds late In the afternoon. and
the political clubs were throngsd.
1t was 1o:3o o'clock in the evening before an
Official statement reached London from Biar-
ritz Mr. Gladstone authorized Sir Algernon
West. who is his companion in Biarritz. to
send out the statement, which is as follows:
The statement that Mr. Gladstone has
10 untrue. 1t is true. however. that for many
months past his age and the condition Of his
sight and hearing have. IN his judgment. made
relief from public affairs desirable. Therefore
his tenure OF ONCE has been at any moment
liable to interruption from these causes
which are 10 their nature permanent
1T remains exactly as Il has been. He 10
ignorant of tho course which events i'm
portant to the nation may take even during
tho remainder Of the present session OF Par
thing which could In any degree restrain his
absolute freedom or that OF his colleagues re-
eardinR the performance OF the arduous duties
now lying or likely to lie before them."
When this was posted on the bulletin boards
ct the clubs It was read with smRzement 1t
was regarded as denial which amounted to
confirmation. The intimations which are con-
veyed between tho lines were considered OF
even moro startling import than the fact that
Mr.. Gladstone might soon retire. II Is not too
much to say that Sir Algernon Vests message.
with Its vague but portentous Significance.
will alarm Europe as nothing else has done
since the declaration OF war In 1870.
Before the message was received. the poll
telans Of both parties eagerly discussed the
possible reasons for GlAdstone's retirement
Just at the present moment. His health. By
all accounts. 10 as good as It has been for
Years. His political measures have taken the
souss expected by nearly everybody. Why.
then. should he suddenly withdraw The first
and most ominous answer which was sug-
esStsd was that he sees burdens and RESPONSE
blltiss ahead far greater than he can assume.
In other words. that the Daily Telegraph was
right when IL declared three weeks ago: The
authorities have been warned. through the
most Trustworthy sources OF information. that
var might be thrust upon England at any mo-
nent."
Even Gladstons's friends would be unani-
nous that the Grand Old Man Is unfit to un-
dsrtaks the fearful ordeal OF war administra-
Won. Likewise II would be . grave error to
put the country through the crisis OF q change
In the Ministry on the eve OF hostilltles
Vests despatch. written Of course by Glad
stone himself seemed to confirm this view
II this Is the true Interpretation OF the Grand
Old Mans desire to bring his public career to
. close. then some recent events In Europe
become pregnant with new meaning.
The great scene OF reconciliation at Berlin
last week. serviA's threatening crisis. the
khsdiVes insubordination. the queer political
talk In Paris. all are moves in the gigantic
game OF peace or war. ItAly's almost helpless
despair was the most important factor OF all
until there came this report OF the retirement
akhgiand's wise and psaee-loyinE statesman.
On which side Of the scale would Gladstone's
resignation weight Inasmueh as England 10
certain not to be the aggressor in the threat
sned conflict and the other powers fear Glad
stons less than almost any other probable
ssitish Premier. the change might make an in
Ending bslligersnt hesitate
Not the first sign OF hostile intentions IL yet
manifested In any quarter. What great power
deliberately planning war while protesting
emily psaee2 II Gladstone IL SO thoroughly
NNA'ASod Nhdb war - luALulu0ll tndl ne Is
arranging TO turn over the Government to
Younger hands. the warliks evidence before
him must be strong. Not a scrap Of II lie yet
lnown outside the innermost diplomatic
circles
The news OF the great Liberal leaders desire
toTstiTs comes so Unexpectedly that II Is pre-
mature TO discuss effects. 1t should be under
stood that his resignation would not involve the
assolution Of Parliament 1t Is quite feasible for
me Queen to appoint Lord RossbsTy Premier
and Liberal rule would continue The Con-
,sryatiyss are By no means DESTROYS Of q gen
Sal election ct the present time. The next
AZ months will be Denlous for either party
var or no war and the Opposition IL quite will
ag that the Liberals should continue 70 guide
me ship Of state through this period OF hsaTy
seaget and increased taxation
Sladstons'S retirement would lmDsril II not
ssstToS the Irish Alliance. for he Il the only
guarantee Of Liberal adherence TO the home
tele cause. In fact the Parliamentary situs-
Won would be completely changed. and only
great national peril would maintain cohesion
~ tia TNkaRaV