The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1894-02-28
GLADSTONE TO RETIRE.
Renewed Talk of the British Pre-
mier's Alleged Intentions.
HIS RAPIDLY FAILING EYEsIGHT
Given Reason why the Veteran States
man Should be Relieved, Mt Least Tenn
porarlly-Lords Rosobery and Spencer
Mentioned for tho Succession.

|
! LONDON, Feb. 2S.-The Evening News
says that the Earl of Rosebery has been
offered the premiership and declined 1t,
and that later It was offered to Earl Spen-
| Ger, first lord Of the admiralty, and that
he has accepted it. 1t adds that Mr.. Glad
stones resignation goes into effect at
Easter.
The Standard says: "The persistent ru-
mors of Mr. Gladstone's impending resig-
nation are beginning to cause disquiet
among his own supporters, although no
immediate action is expected by them"
| The Morning published an unconiirmed
,, rumor to the effect that Mr.. Gladstone in
| formed the queen on Monday that he was
about to undergo an operation for his eyes,
| and that he desired the royal sanction TO
| Lord Rosebery's acting us preLlier pro
i tenn.
A physician visited Mr.. Gladstone, and
| remained with him for some time, but the
prime minister devoted the morning to his
usual official work. and was consulted fire.
quently by the patronage secretary to the
treasury, Right Hon. Edward Marjori-
| banks, who is also the Liberal whip.
The Chronicle says that the retirement
of Mr.. Gladstone is imminent. 1t is al
| most an open secret that his eyesight is no
| longer equal to even the least important
duties of II political leader. All stories of
dissension or disappointment at legisa-
| ti0n being baked may be dismissed rs
wholly unaffccting his decision. When
| Mr.. Gladstone resigns the wand it will be
because his hand cannot longer WELD it,
and for no other reason. II il probable
| that no decision has yet been reached as TO
the moment of his resignation. II Is an
, nounced that Mr.. Sexton, NJ. p. for Kerry,
has already taken steps to obtain pledges
with regard to home rule in the event of
Lord Roscbery or the Earl of Spencer he
coming premier
The Daily News says that in view of Mr..
Gladstone's age it is only right that the
liberals should consider the future. If the
intrmities of age make his duties rksome
1t would be inhuman to keep Mr.. Glad
stone at his post merely because of diff
ference of opinion prevailing in reference
to the choice OF his successor. The News
then strongly recommends the Earl of
Rosebery, but adds that there will he no
whisper of discontentment with Mr..
Glndstone's supremacy so long as he il
willing to remain supreme.
The standard believes It is fact that
Mr.. Gladstones eyesight is growing much
worse, and that an operation will soon be
necessary. Recognizing this fact, Mr..
Gladstone informed his colleagues that
his early retirement was inevitable, but
he hoped that it would be only temporary
He told them he would resume the pre-
miership should his eyes become strong
enough TO warrant it,
The Times thinks that the denial of Mr..
Gladstonc's actual resignation may be ac-
| cepted without question by those unable
to adopt the inference that the alarm in
the radical camp was altogether causeless
but it can hardly be doubted that n semi
official denial signifies postponcmcnt Of
the crisis. Lord Roseberrys leadership
would be far more satisfactory TO the
country generally than that of any other
Gladstoniun.