New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-06-18
COERCION AND KILMAINHAM.


Foreign affairs, however were not the most I'M
portant that the Cabinet had to deal with. The
first place must be given to Ireland. We need
not here review the whole story Of that stormy
struggle But Mr. Chamberlain's part in 1t Is
to be especially observed because It was that
which ultimately led him to revolt against Mr..
Gadstone's lea iership. to become ally OF the
Conservatives and finally leading member Of
a chiefly Conservative Cabinet The Irish ques-
ton was the most serious one British Ministers
had to deal with in the dozen years from 1850
to 1892, and If Mr.. Chamberlain did not exert
commanding influence It In its earlier years.
he certainly did in It's later years. and perhaps
more than any other man. he contributed 70
such settlement Of It as has thus far been ef-
fected. It. moreover. had commanding infu-
ence upon him and upon his career. making him.
as has been said. "the best hated man In Eng
lard" yet opening the way for him to become
OF the most popular and certainly most po-
tent Ministers OF his time
In the early stages of the Land League con-
troversy Mr. Chamberlain reckoned the trouble
In Ireland purely agrarian He did not appre-
ciate its still more formidable political phases.
Accordingly. he favored such remedial measures
the Land bill. and opposed. though Tot 10 the
extent OF Cabinet crisis. the stringent coer-
cion measures Of Mr. Gladstone. The obstruc~
tive tactics Of Mr.. Biggar, Mr.. Parnell and others
Of the Irish party in Parliament were most Of
fersive to his methodical and businesske mind.
however. and these, added TO the Irish leaders
urfriendly attitude toward various bills intended
for the relief Of agrarian distress presently
caused radical change in his views He became
persuaded that the question was after ALL po-
litical one much as, and perhaps more than. an
agrarian one. Now he was ready and eager to
legisate for the social and industrial welfare OF
Ireland. just as he had s;rven for reforms In
Birmingham He had sympathy WITH the
laissez faire of the Manchester school. But he
was from the first inhexibly opposed to any po-
l!tlcal concessions that would impair the soil
derity Of the United Kingdom.
Coercion repugnant to him. He never be-
l.evei in it as a principle. The nexorable logic
Of events compelled him. for a time, at least,
tactly TO assent TO its application as an expert
ment. The Land League. he said, not only re-
garded the land act as inadequate. but was
| doing its utmost to make 1t failure Unless
therefore. England and Ireland were to be po-
! litically separated. Il was time for the Govern
/ ment to assert his authorit". As for him. ne
said: The Union must be preserved" Within
! the Union he would grant Ireland equal laws
equal justice, equal prosperity. But within the
/ Union he~would keep Ireland, though il cost all
the resources OF the Empire. 1t was in the be-
lief that coercion, briefly tried, had failed, and
that conciliatory measures would be more eff
fectve for maintaining the Union and securing
70 Ireland the blessings thereof that he presently
negotiated with Mr.. Parnell the famous treaty
OF Kimainham. In doing he practically be-
came the leader Of the Government, or at least
he imposed for the time his policy upon The Gov
eminent The accusation has been made that
he betrayed Mr.. Forster, which, in view OF the
fact that Mr. Forster knew everything that was
going on. is as groundless the later cry Of
Judas" raised against him for seeding from
! Mr.. Gladstone on tho final Issue of Home Rule
That he expected Mr. Forster would resign and
that he himself would be appointed his successor
Is unquestionable. There may be ground for re-
greet that the latter part OF his expectation was
not fulfilled II would have been Interesting to
him Chief Secretary for Ireland But that
was not to be- Lord Frederick Cavendish was
appointed Then camo the tragedy Of Phoenix
Park, and after that Mr.. Chamberlain was an
impossible candidate. The Government repud-
ated his policy Of Cancellation and turned back
again to the coercion he had striven to abolish
1t was the harshest rebuff. the bitterest disap-
| pointment, In his whole career.