The record-union., 1896-08-09
Salisbury'S Silence on the Irish Land Bill
Commented Upon.
The Fate of the Measure as Yet
Remains Doubtful.

InvasiOn-State of Affairs in South
Africa Not Favorable for English
COIOniStS.
| LONDON, Aug S-The fact that
Lord Salisbury took no part in the de-
bate on the Irish land bill in the House
of Lords has caused a great deal of
comment in various quarters. The
Prime Minister did not seem to be at all
affected by the hostility displayed by
his Whilom followers, but, on the con-
trary, assumed an air of unusual gay
ETY., Joking on the subject with the Lord
High Chancellor. The designations of
several members of the Ministry, which
1t was predicted would be rendered be-
cause of the action of the House of
Lords, are quite unlikely to occur, but
the position of the Government has been
| seriously weakened. While the landlord
peers could have done nothing better
calculated to explode the Tory conten-
tion that the upper house is governed
largely by patriotic motives, checking
the House of Commons only in support
of deliberate judgment of the people,
the Liberal view of the matter that a
majority of the peers are swayed by
purely selfish motives has received
enormous impetus. The fate of the
measure remains doubtful. The mod
crates are hopeful that the House of
Commons will restore the emasculated
clauses of the bill and that the peers
will eventually be induced to accept a
compromise, and that the House bill
will be saved
THE CRETAN TROUBLE.
The refusal of Lord Salisbury to take
part in the proposed blockade of the
island of Crete has met with unanimous
approval. In view of the strong feeling
aroused by the Armenian outrages,
Great Britain will, at least, do nothing
to bolster UP the Sultan, while the ac-
tivity of the British Mediterranean
fleet which left Barcelona for the East
yesterday adds to the Turkish Govern
nent's qualms and is likely to assist
matters in inducing the Government to
grant reforms.
RHODES IN DANGER.
The Hon. Cecil Rhodes, whose con-
nection with the British South Africa
Company and his alleged completely in
the Transvaal raid of DR.. Jameson are
too we'll known to need mention here
will undoubtedly shortly be brought to
book for the part he took in bringing
about an invasion of the territory of a
friendly State. A comparatively short
time ago Rhodes was made a member
of her majesty's Privy Council, but his
name will be stricken from the list of
councillors and he will be summoned to
give evidence before the Parliamentary
select Committee of Inquiry into the
chartered company's doings
But there is to be no repetition of the
Jameson trial in his case 1t is well
known that Chamberlain, the Colonial
Secretary. decided to see him in the
dock and has discussed the question of
indictment with Arthur Balfour and the
Attorney General There are as annie
reasons for indicting Rhodes az for the
CONVICTION OF Jameson, but a trial and
its proceedings would have involved a
delay of six months in the proceedings
of the Committee of Inquiry, so Rhodes
has meantime escaped the ordeal he
challenged. When he reappears in
England it will be with ruined prestige
and as comparatively poor man.
AFFAIRS IN SOUTH AFRICA.
Cables from Rhodesia convey little.
almost nothing, of the truth of the de-
struction that has fallen upon the COL
ony. Private letters received by busi-
ness firms in London having relations
with companies at johannesburg and
Buluwayo disclose facts which the
chartered company's officials will soon
a "a n
a colony nor colonists Though the
Matabeles have been driven into the
forests and hill fastnesses, it will take
some months to subdue them effective
~. While insecurity continues, business
projects are improbable.
London firms have ordered their
agents to return as soon as possible.
prospecting syndicates and promoters
having land lots and mining conces
sions to offer in London. Glasgow and
other centers have ceased to operate
The colonists are streaming out of
Rhodesia toward the Transvaal any,.
where southwark where they see a
chance for life
me only traffic in the colonies is in
munitions and provisions for the troops.
Men who are not enrolled in the fight
ing forces and all women and children
are belng assisted to emigrate, as a
necessity. from a country where milk
costs twelve shillin.s per bottle and a
tin of meat about five shillines All
necessaries that can be brought bv
transport are required by the fighting
men. Within the next two months
Rhodesia will be deserted by all but
the fighters, and this is part of the
story that will be told before the in
duiry committee.
AS regards the military operations IT
is expected that they will be SUSPENDED
When the rainy season sets in. If the
Matabeles had been absolutely crushed
before the rains came on lasting
peace would have been secured. The
stand they have made is givins them
something like the prestige of victory
among the native races, and wide
spread risings are feared in the north
Of Cape Colony and in Natal.
Ii HUNG CHANG.
Ii Hung Chang, the Chinese Vice
roy who is now visiting England as the
nations guest, IS being much feted.
and is treated with the greatest dis
tincticn. 1t is stated that he is urgently
pressing Captain William Lang to re-
assume the chief command of the Chi
nese navy. Captain Lang. who was
formerly Admiral Of the Chinese navy.