New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-05-06
THE NEWS OF EUROPE.
AN EPIDEMIC OF SPEECHES.
LORD ROSEBERY ON HOME RULE AND ON
THE PROGRAMME OF HIS MINISTRY.
COMMENTS by UNIoNIsT LEADERs-THE REGIS
TRATIoN BILL-MR. GLADsToNE-MR.
IRvING-MAY DAY-THE ROYAL AcAD-
EMY-'"THE MASQUERADERS"

TRATIoN BILL-MR. GLADSToNE-MR.
IRvING-MAY DAY-THE ROYAL AcAD-
EMY-"THE MAsoUERADERs"
lBY CABLE TO rRrBUyEl
tcoprright: ls9.: BY The Tribune AAOciatOnJ
London May 5-A week prolific in speeches. "A
great many things said but not much done.
Speeches at Manchester by Lord Rosebery at
Trowbridge to the Wiltshire farmers by LORD
Salisbury at Birmingham by Mr.. Chamberlain
to the Grand Council of the Birmingham Liberal
Unonist Association - not the least notable
speech OF the three Speeches on bmetallism by
Mr. Balfour, who has on this subject the en-
thusiasm Of the convinced amateur; and by
Others more or less expert, more or less in
formed, but all like Mr.. Balfour. convinced, en-
thusiastc and rather lyrical Speeches on the late
Sir Andrew Clark by the Duke Of Cambridge and
by Mr. Gladstone who thus makes his first reap
pearance in public, though not in political life.
Speeches in the House of Commons, of course.
where the Welsh mind has expressed itself on
the disesrabshment OF the Welsh Church by
the mouth Of Mr. Lloyd George, type Of the
intolerant bitter ill-informed Welsh fanatic, DO
ing his best. or his worst, to injure good cause
by bad advocacy. Speeches by Mr.. Balfour-a
very remarkable one-on the same subject, IN a
very different temper, model OF good speech
for a bad cause and by Mr. Bryce in his very
highest drest most learned and least persuasive
PROFESSIONAL manner. Speeches on the Registra-
ton bill But the ending Of the debate on SIR
Edward Clarke's amendment is dramatic, and I
will refer TO il separately. There were many
other speeches in and out Of the House by less
considerable persons. including some hundreds
at Hackney, where hotly contested and signify
doubtful election for a member of the House OF
r. in, =
who had a majority of 1lO0 will be decided on
Monday
1t might be difficult to say whether the country
is much wiser or at all happier for all or any
of these harangues Something was expected.
naturally from Lord Rosebery at Manchester,
and there is a general impression that LORD
Rosebery has not said his last word on any OK
the subjects which divide opinion and to some ex-
tent agitate the country. He keeps curiosity
alive by this policy OF expectancy. He keeps to
some extent a free hand. He bides his time
But II must also be said that he carries this
method Of reserve far enough TO beget certain
anxiety among that moderate minority who
being free from party ties, are only anxious to
give their support TO any leader who can WIN
their confidence. What he said at Manchester
can scarcely be described as an appeal 10 this
| moderate party, which, though itself minority.
has probably the power to give either OF the two
! great parties a majority.
The topic on which he spoke with most free
| dom was Home Rule. and II was a stronger
| Home Rule speech than he has delivered since
| he became Prime Minister. 1t was strong
enough to re2el the Ur!ol.otc. not strong enough
10 content the irish Nationalists. 1t is an argu-
ment not so much for the principle as for the
expedlency Of Home Rule You have tried
everything else. You will have to try that"
These are not Lord Rosebery's words. They are
summary Of his words. or an expression of the
effect which reading his speech produces on the
impartial mind
Lord Rosrbery, though he is supposed TO be
capable Of diplomacy in politics. does not shrink
from a bold statement when he thinks boldness
timely He now argues that Home Rule is but
a recognition Of the national principle in politics.
He is promoting" said Mr.. Chamberlain, ma
tonal jealouses and national division. His
policy would make Of this United Kingdom OF
Great Britain and Ireland bundle OF badly
compacted States" "It is the secret Of our En-
pire" cries Lord ROsebery with enthusiasm. Is
II the secret Of empire in India, in Africa, IN
Canada? Apply it. retort his opponents, in any
one Of those dependencies. and your Imperial au-
thority would vanish in a night.
Still IL sounds well. So does his recital OF the
list Of measures which constitute the Ministerial
programme. the bills they have introduced or
promised in the House Of Commons. Not one
Of them has been passed. replies Mr.. Chamber
lain Hardly one of them will be. II Is only
list Of liabilities. Lord Rosebery complains OF
obstruction in the House of Commons. Obstruc-
ton. he insists. is the true reason why bills are
not passed, and the House ought to reform It's
procedure. 1t is again Mr.. Chamberlain who
answers him. In spite Of obstruction. much
of which ROSpDPry
has TO complain. the Unionist party able,
year after year. to put forward solid pro-
gramme of practical reform. and 10 carry the
greater part of the programme into law.
Lord Salisbury with his usual turn for cpl
gram remarks that Lord Rosebery complains
of the difficulty he has in passing Government
measures through the House of Lords, because
he is voted down. and through the House Of Com
mons because he is talked down" His pro-
gramme, continued Lord Salisbury. is revolution
ary, and he has not got a revolutionary majority.
He has majority of thirty y-four-all Irish. He
would not have any majority at all il you took
from Ireland the twenty-three members in ex-
cess Of her numerical proportion. and three
Welsh and one Scotch. 10 which Wales and Scot
land have no right His majority on any just
system of electoral distribution would become Q
minority. But even under unequal system,
unjust to the predominant partner" We are
for general election. say both Lord Sails
bury and Mr.. Chamberlain. The latter goes .
step further. Lord Rosebery. he notices is COM
ing TO Birmingham to speak. He will be well
come. But l will give him hint He does not
know Birmingham 30 well as l do, and want
to tell him that Birmingham men like frank
ness"
And so this duel Of words goes on, ending for
the moment with speech from Mr.. Bafour to
the Women's Lberal-Unionist Association In
London, another answer 10 Lord Rosebery who
seems to require much answering. Mr.. Balfour
made perhaps new point. Lord Rosebery
at Manchester had declared his belief in the 10y