New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-08
THE LIBERAL UPSET.
PARTISANSHIP IN ENGLISH POLTTICS-x
WORKING GOVERNMENT BADLY
LED-THE ELECTIONS.
London, June a.

WORKING GOVERNMENT BADLY
LED-THE ELECTIONS
London, June a.
The Liberal upset will he an old story when
this letter reaches New-York For that reason
1t Is hardly necessary to explain in detail the
unforeseen accident which caused the catas-
trophe. The party manoeuvres which have pre-
ceded and followed the downfall OF the Rose.
berry Government are object lessons OF the in
tense spirit Of partisanship which characterizes
British politics. or. l. tnat be too strong Q
phrase, pi actical illustrations OF the enlight-
ened self-interest With which skilled tacticiano
make Of opportunities These movements
deserve more deliberate treatment than the
pressure OF rapid work for the cables allows. As
] took the prccaution Of leaving all my preJu-
dices and sympathies. far British politics
were concerned. behind me In America. I am at
least under embal rassment In discussing
these matters. Indeed. II one would be toll
Grant critic OF what happens in English public
life. ne must begin by taking DR.. Johnsons ad-
vice and divestng his mind Of can't and then be
prepared TO see things they are, without SEEK
ing to adjust new facts to preconceived notions
Ministers. so far from riding for fall were
unconscious Of their imminent peril. They had
passed a harassing week, with the Cromwell
Gladstone's pair. and the decline Of their ma
jority to seven votes on a critical amendment to
the Welsh bill. the most exasperating Incl
dents; but the fatal Friday their confidence
was restored by the consciousness Of taking up
the important question Of army reform with
force and courage worthy Of great Ministry.
When Mr.. Campbell Bannerman announced the
retirement Of the Duke of Cambridge from the
command Of the army and outlined a scheme OF
practical reform in military administration. he
appealed to the enlightened judgment and pa
triotc instincts Of both sides OF the House. II
was an imperial not party question. Some
details Of the scheme might be controversial;
but the retirement Of the Duke OF Cambridge.
which had been brought about by the discretion
and tact Of the Secretary. had been generally
recognized by practical legislators and military
experts the indispensable requirement Of
army reform. Ministers conscious Of the cour-
age Of their policy and Of the strength OF their
position on this question were blind to the dam
gers confronting them Several of them left the
House without arranging pairs The Liberal
whips were asleep. Precautions for securing an
adequate attendance Of Government supporters
for the night hours neglected. The Prime
Minister after listening in the gallery to Mr..
Campbell Bannerman's speech started for The
Ministry had done strong bit of work, and
without suspicion that it's downfall was i'm
pending
THE MINISTER'S CAUGHT MAPPING.
Meanwhile, Mr.. Chamberlain was not asleep.
and the Unionist whips were attending to their
business. Mr.. Brodrick. who had been Under
Secretary Of State In the previous Admnstra-
ton. and was familiar with the operation OF the
War Department raised the question that the re-
serve Of ammunition was not up to the minimum
standard prescribed by safety. Mr.. Campbell
Bannerman replied In a perfunctory way. quot
ing the opinions Of eminent officials. and finally
pledging his word that the supply Of ammunition
was adequate Mr.. Balfour and other members
from the Opposition benches reinforced Mr. Brod-
rick, and a general attack was made upon the
permanent officials for not furnishing any reports
answers which Ministers might ask for In
this way the debate was carried to a division on .
motion to reduce the salary Of the War Secre-
tary, an affront to one of the most capable and
popular members Of the Government The Oppo-
sition forces were kept we'll in hand. and the
Government was left in minority OF seven. and
compelled on the morrow to choose between
resignation and dissolution.
1t is hardly necessary to consider either the
Liberal charges Of trckery and foul play, or
the defence of the Opposition members that their
anxiety to obtain adequate assurances as to the
supply Of ammunition In reserve was not In
fuenced by their desire to overthrow the Cow
eminent The essential fact is that party VIC
tory won by vote Of censure against a re-
former. who had shown courage. ability and tact
In taking up and settling a difficult and embar-
RAISING question which had baffied the energies
!. &f1x rH<~
Opposition showed their appreciation OF really
good Administrative work by charging those re-
sponsibe for II with indifference TO national de-
fence and public safety. AS tactical manoeuvre
1t was adroit and sklful. and it was completely
successful for the Government surrendered the
next day without struggle. But display
Of partisan politics 1t equally conspicuous.
No unprejudiced observer can fail TO be inn
pressed with the irony of the performance. The
Rosebery Administration has not been well de
rected, nor have its policies been strongly
handled: but It was defeated by a catch vote
after one Of It's most meritorious achievements
had been disclosed. Those who outmanoeuvred
Ministers on what ought not to have been a
party question had been more indifferent to
| the exigencies of ammunition reserves than those
| whom they criticised: and in order 10 accom-
| psh their purpose they did not scruple TO make
ungenerous attacks upon the permanent officials
| OF the War Department. who are not ordinarily
set up as party targets; nor did they hesitate to
put a personal affront upon Minister who had
| worked out under conditions OF nsuperable diff
Guilty an important and most urgent administra-
| tive reform.
| RESIGNATION OF THE GOVERNMENT.
| AS soon the catastrophe occurred there were
manoeuvres both sides The Government, In
stead OF completing the supplies for two months
and dissovng Parliament. resigned office and
left their opponents to face the responsibilities
| Of the situation. This involved the collapse
OF all legislative work OF the session, upon which
| a vast amount OF administrative energy had
| been expended. The Opposition complained We