New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-23
TWO JUBILEE SCENES.
THE ENTHUSIASM FOR THE QUEEN AT
SHEFFIELD.
Mr. BALroUR's EPOCH MAKING SPEECH on THD
NEW IRISH poLICY-A STROKE OF STATES
MANsHIP RUssIAs PERFORMANCE
LABOUCHERE TAKEN ABACK-THE
BI.ACKWALL TuN;EL-JCBI-
LEE PREPARATIONS.


BLACKwALL TuNsEr--JUBI-
LEE PREPARATIONS.
fBY CABLE THE TRIDUNEl
London, May 22.-The curtain rose yesterday
on the prologue in two scenes 10 the jubilee
meodrama. The Queen entered In triumph at
Sheffield upon her royal progress which Will END
a month hence in London, and Mr.. Balfour ap.
peared suddenly at Westminster in the part OF
Lady Bountiful rich In promises 10 Ireland.
The one scene had been fully rehearsed. and
every detail had been prearranged and described
In advance; the other scene a surprise. sir &c
1t revealed the Unionst policy, which will be SUBJ
stitued next year for Mr.. Gladstones Home
Rule scheme. While the Queen by her presence
in Yorkshire was bringing herself into touch
with the Industrial forces which have trans
formed England during her reign into the worlds
busiest workshop, the leader OF the Commons
was foreshadowing next years Queens speech
and a legislative session devoted to a comprehen.
sive measure of local government reform for ire
land
What may prove to be an epoch-making speech
delivered at the close of the question hour
in Mr. Balfour's listess. halting manner, with
occasional spasms OF energy He had come from
Westminster Abbey. where. Scotchman. he
had paid tribute to the genius of Sir Walter
Scott; and before he had fairly regained breath
he threading the Irish bog. where English
statesmen have been floundering and blundering
for generations He. however on solid
ground. and never faltered except to remodel his
sentences midway, after the English fashion.
The Governments refusal to extend the benefits
of the Rating Act to Ireland had created bad
impression, because it involved discrimination
inst he iSo he y
justified Mr.. Balfour transformed this refusal
into a statesmanke concession. He has prom
ised to give money next year in large subven-
ton, by which the landlords will be relieved OF
half the poor rates and the tenants OF half the
county cess, with money grant from the I'M
perial Treasury. There will also be introduced
new scheme Of local government upon a popular
elective basis. Both these measures are prom.
ised for the session. and all the Irish bills
pending Withdrawn. Mr.. Chamberlain
undoubtedly is the real author Of this policy, as
he is also responsible for the conversion OF the
Employers Liability bill into a measure which
the trades s-unons can heartily support. This Is
a stroke of political art by which financial relief
to the taxpayer is provided simultaneously with
the refo. n Of the antiquated system Of local
government OF Ireland one problem is set
against the other and each helps TO solve the
other. The dexterty Of this policy is admirable,
since it appeals TO all classes Of taxpayers in the
island and enables the Government to carry out
English principles of local government reform
under cover of financial relief.
Lord Salisbury cares for nothing except the
intricacies of European diplomacy and Mr.. Bal
four is half the time asleep in the Commons
and longing for holiday for golf Mr. Chamber
lain is always wide awake and deeply interested
ent Government, through his practical talent for
framing measures and directing policies by which
the Opposition may De disarmed The Govern
nents in adapting universal principle
of compensation for accidents at employers ex-
pense to the requirements of working England is
now followed by a sudden proclamation of Irish
legislation which is hailed with delight by the
Nationalist leaders, and meets with little crti-
c5m in any quarter.
A remarkable contrast to the iexibility and
common sense of the Cnionst Government OF
England is offered by the German Emperor's in
tolerance in dealing with the Public Opinion
bill now in committee in the Prussian Land
tag for enabling the police to disperse any pub
lie meeting or dissolve any society at their
discretion. 1t is not likely 10 do any harm
in its amended form; the police powers have
been struck out. and unless they restored
by the Government majority in the LandtaS
it matters little whether the measure be en-
acted or rejected. What is of momentous con-
Germ is the Emperors incapacity for forecast
ing the forces of public opinion, and the ia
cility with which he has surrendered his Judg-
nicnt to bad advisers In insisting upon the pas
sage Of a rcactionary measure aimed directly
against the Fitherlands traditions OF free speech
ard popular liberty. Germany is bewildered by
the evidence that the Emperor does not UNDER
tend his people. Herr Richter's eloquent
warning that the monarchy is rapidly exhaust
ing its authority and may become discredited
has electrified Germany.
The reactonary Conservatives complain be-
ca, Sc no rely on behalf Of the Government was
nade to that fearless speech. which was ap-
plauded by nearly all the members OF the Reichs-
tag. No reply was possible in view of the fact
II at the Emperor's secret advisers have induced
in. TO offer a wantcn affront to the intelligence
and loyalty of his subjects
The armistice concluded between Turkey and
Greece after an exchange OF batteries between
the Car and the Sultan has demonstrated anew
the commanding influence of Russia in the East
The Western Powers were helpless. and the Ger.
man Emperor was willing to allow the Sultan to
dictate his own terms of peace. but Russia inter-
vened with her authority, and the armstice was
arranged a personal favor TO the Car. II 10
Russia that orders the march Of events in the
East. The concert Of tho Powers is a burlesqus
which fills the pauses Of the rea! drama OF Rus
sian ambition. while France is beginning TO won-
der what profit she derives from the Russian al
lance when the three Emperors seem 10 hold all
the high cards and to be exchanging signals for
playing into one another's hands. England has
ceased to care about any matter Of foreign policy
so long as European peace remains unbroken
during the Jubilee Year.
The South African investigation has been con.
yerted temporarily into a tribunal for impeach.
ing Mr. Cecil Rhodes's critics and enemies. Mr..