The evening world., 1894-02-28
CLADSTONE'S EXIT.
Liberal Papers Insist that Home
Rule Will Survive 1t.
While The Times Says II Will Lead
to Dropping That Issue.
Physical Inability Alone Will Cause
the Premier's Retirement.

LONDON, Feb. 2S.-In connection with
tirement. It is stated that the venerable
Premier is understood to have made a
proposal to his colleagues to revive the
Home Rule question in the shape OF a
resolution pledging the House of Com
mons to deal With Home Rule for Ire
land at the following session of Parlla-
ment.
This proposal Is said not to have found
favor with the Cabinet Ministers.
The Independent, Of Dublin, accepts the
reports of Mr.. Gladstone's retirement "a
meanig that the movement in favor
of Home Rule will be dropped.
The Freeman's Journal party will con-
tinue to insist that the settlement OF the
Irish question Is to be the controlling
aim Of whatever Ministry governs.
The Chronicle says that the retirement
OF Mr.. Gladstone is imminent. 1t Is
almost an open secret that his eyesight
Is no longer equal to even the least I'M
portant duties of a political leader.
All stories OF dissension or ~disappoint-
ment at legislation being baked may be
dismissed as wholly unaffecting his de-
cision. When Mr.. Gladstone resigns the
wand 1t will be because his hand can no
longer WELD It, and for no other reason
whatever. The paper says 1t is prob
able thai no decision has yet been reach
! ed as to the momen of his resignation.
1t is announced that Mr.. Sexton, NJ. =.
for Kerry, has already taken steps to
obtain pledges with regard to Home
Rule, in the event OF Lord Rosebery
or the Earl OF Spencer becoming Pre-
mier.
The Standard believes It Is a fact that
Mr.. G.adstone's eycsight Is growing
much worse, and that an operation will
| soon be necessary. Recognizing this
fact, Mr.. Gladstone informed his col
leagues that his early retirement was
inevitable. but he hoped that It would
be only temporary. He told them that
he would resume the Premiership should
his eyes become strong enough to war
rant X.
The Times thinks that the denial Of
Mr.. Gladstone's actual resignation may
be accepted without question. by those
unable to adopt the inference that the
alarm In the Radical camp was alto
gether causeless, but II can hardly be
doubted that a semi-offiCial denial sig
nifies a postponement Of the crisis.
Lord Rosebcry's leadership would be
far more satisfactory to the country
generally than that of any other Glad
s%tonian.
The Times declares that whatever is
done o the leadership, it is certain
that Home Rule will be dropped, and
tina: neither Lord Rosebery nor Sir Will
lam Vernon Harcourt Ia likely to revive
IT.. The Times adds: However they may
differ upon other points, they know per
fectly well that the British public is sick
OF paying blackmail to criminal con
spi-ators."
In spite of the cold MIR. Gladstone
buckingham Palace, in an open phaeton,
at 3 o'clock this afternoon. Upon arriv-
ing at the palace Mr.. Gladstone was i'm,
mediately admitted to the presence OF
The Queen.
1t Is freely stated that it is believed
that Mr.. Gladstone has gone to the Pal
ace in order to Officially tender his rcsig-
nation to Her Majesty.
After Mr.. Glaistonc's return from
Buckingham Palace to Downing stree,
the Associated Press correspondent called
at the Premier's residence. and was re-
ceived by Mr.. Littleton. the Secretary.
Mr.. Littlcton said that Mr.. Gladstone
had not resigned, and later added that
the situation OF affairs was the same
as when the Biarritz despatch was sent,
after the frs; report Of Mr.. Gladstonc's
impending retirement.