New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-14

MR. BALFoUR ON THE CONDITION OF THD
WORKING CLAssEs-BIrTER REoPENINo OF
IRISH FEUps-HUMoRsN OF THE CAN.
vAss-MRs cURzoN IN PoLITIcs-LEs.
SONS OF THE HENLEY REGATTA
THE NELSON sALE-MR. EUsTiss
FIGARO" INrERvIEw-PREs-
BYrERIAN PILGRIMS - EF-
FEcrs OF THE DRoUrH.
[BY CABLE TO THE rRrBuNE.l
Copyright 1898; BY tAs Tribune AssoetstfsM
London July 13-Politcal canvassing u the
order OF the day throughout the United King
dom II there be any saving grace in three weeks
Of continuous discussion by the leaders and de-
baters Of all parties, the redemption OF the
country from evils. real or imaginary. ought to
be accomplished. The results of the earliest cleo
tions yesterday and to-day are inconclusive.
since the boroughs and divisions first heard from
are mainly uncontested. The number Of seats
which the Unionsts will have without contest
is very large In comparison with that which will
fall to the Liberals. This Is an indication that
the Union!sts will carry the elections. but In
scrutable is the mind OF the modern Sphinx. De-
mocracy. There are yet no trustworthy signs
Of the direction public opinion Is taking. This IL
the first general election slice Mr.. Gladstone's
influence over the constituencies has been with
drawn, and also the first appeal to the country
made for decade in which Irish questions have
not been Of paramount Importance. or in which
the Liberal-Unionists have not been third
party. distinct in organization from the Con-
servatives. 1t is a transition period in English
politics, in which parties are adapting them
selves to new conditions. All forecasts Of the
result OF the election are hazardous Bimetal-
Ism is one Of many issues Of the canvass. II the
columns of correspondence devoted to 1t in The
Times" In evidence
The best speeches Of the week were made by
Sir William Harcourt and Mr.. Chamberlain.
with Mr. Balfour. Mr.. Morley and Mr.. Asquith
not far behind them. SIR William Harcourt,
without having Mr.. Gladstone's grand style OF
political oratory. Is an aggressive. hard-httipg
debater, with large resources Of humor. He has
represented Liberalism the cause OF political
progress with a party without a definite policy
opposed to It, and has exposed Mr.. Chamberlain
to destructive crossire by quoting from the
Birmingham leaders earlier speeches express
sions favorable to the disestablishment Of the
Church. the abolition Of the privileged House
and the recognition Of the principle: "One man,
one vote" Similar tactics have been adopted
by the other Liberal leaders; Mr.. Chamberlain 10
a convenient target for gun practice all along
the line
Mr. Chamberlain is not the man to be discon-
certed by a combined attack OF his opponents;
he has audaciously faced the parallel column
batteries and instead OF attempting to demon
strate his own political consistency In opposing
policies which he once favored, has described
himself to amused audiences a. the best-abused
man in the whole United Kingdom. and then has
incaOaOIe
argument and addicted to SANDER misrepresen.
tation and falsehood. Mr.. Chamberlain's critcA
while employing an effective political device
familiar to Americans are consciously or un-
consciously magnifying ns Importance and
making him the commanding figure In the Union
ist Government. Perhaps the best answer to the
Liberal argument that the Government have
no positive policy beyond that OF obtaining from
the constituencies long tease Of power Is the
presence on the front bench, beside Mr.. Balfour.
OF Mr. Chamberlain. with his Birmingham pro-
gramme OF progressive reform.
Mr. Balfour and Mr.. Morley serious dig
nihed speakers, who seldom allow their audi
ences to enjoy hearty laugh. but they present
the party policies and principles In the strongest
light Inferior as tactica1s and platform humor-
lists, they have sincerity Of purpose and are sem
s.rive on all questions OF party consistency. Mr..
Morley cings more tenaciou3ly than any other
Liberal leader to Mr.. Gadstone's Irish policy.
Mr. Balfour Is more cautious than Mr.. Cham
berain in forecasting the trend Of the Unonise
policy. yet bold enough to outline positive
rather than a negative programme. and refers
specifically to the better housing OF the working
classes. the encouragement OF land purchase or
freehold occupancy UnionIst principles to be
applied not merely to ireland and the Scotch
do h,,ta 70 fhn nrdin a
districts of England and to the great towns az
we'll Tory democracy means something when
leader like Mr. Balfour takes up the demand OF
the working classes In great towns and declares
that 1t Is not beyond the skill Of the legislator or
the public spirit of the local Authorities to give
facilities under proper precautions. for them to
become the owners Of the houses in which they
live.
Mr. Gladstone In response to the importunate
demands of the London canvassers has supplied
a single sentence Of forty-three words which 10
flashed nightly on magic lantern screens In the
Liberal strongholds 1t Is Delphic usterancs
which can be interpreted az Gladstonian sane
ton OF Lord Rosebery's campaign against the
Lords with a reservation Ia favor OF the just
and Constitutional claims OF Ireland. Mr.. Glad
stone Is reluctant to take part In the canvass.
feeling that his public career Is ended by reason
of physical infrmities and the burdens OF ad-
vancing years. The politicians, instead OF re.
spectIng his wishes bent upon making use
OF him. With Scotch pertinacity he declines to
write even a sentence for a lantern slide which
will compromise his record the last public
question upon which he concentrated his en-
ergies The Home Rule question Is attracting
little attention in England. In spite OF Mr.. Glad
stones motto and the attempts OF Mr. Balfour
and Mr. Chamberlain to make 1t prominent by re-
viving the arguments Of three years ago against
what they describe the Separatist and Dis
unionist cause.
In London the Liberals have little to say about
any Irish question and prefer to discuss the
taxation Of ground rents or other progressive
policies favored by advanced men. The party %
adopting the expedient OF laying stress every.