New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-11

cratlons are far more influential In the FORMER
than in the latter indeed IN most cases they
are the determining factors. IT. therefore, even
a series OF by-elcctions gives no certain indlca-
ton Of public sentiment on general ISSUES "
would be folly TO regard single one, IN ordihar!
circumstances. as significant.
The election Of Tuesday last in the Petersheid
Division Of Hampshire may. however, be re-
gsrded as exceptional. for In II a great general
issue was sharply raised and the battle was
tonight upon it, That issue was the Eastern
nolicv of the Government Ii was the first cleo
lion since the British warships bombarded the
Christians OF Crete, and the electors were called
u,,on 70 oxpress their opinion Of the conduct of
tho Salisbury Ministry toward the Cretan insur-
roct,o,, and toward the Greco Turkish War.
They were thus called upon by one of the most
cloonent and commanding voices OF the age
Mr.. Gladstone wrote them letter On the SUD-
iect. couched in his most passionate Phrases
The Governments policy. he declared. was exc
Grated by the people Of Great Bri'aih' anu III
urged the electors to emphasize that feeling with
their votes. Strong candidates were put ioi
ward tbair campalgns were directed from head
quarters in London. and the people We're M
rangued nightly by the ablest speakers OF the
two parties.
The result was the election OF the GoVerhineh.
candidate by majority of 40 III tolai 'o'e "a
1916 At the last preceding election the een-
eral election Of 1895. there was no contest III 'na'
district. and the Conservative candidate was
elected without opposition. FOR purposes VI
COMPARISON We must therefore go back TO lo9Z'
when the Conservative candidate was elected by
a majority of 9Oi in a total vote OF 692o Iha'
elbows q decrease Of the Conservative majority
y, more than 50 per cent. The actual Conserva-
tive vote was 1912 in 1892, and only BIAS thls
wool, while the Liberal vote was only 3OOS IN
1900 and hos increased TO 3.32S this week. More
o,.or In 1900 the Liberals carried the whole
,,ro1or, while at present the Conservatives
have o great majority in Parnameht' vi su'n
data. then the Liberals would appear 10 nave
made q material gain and the CONSERVATIVES ~
have suffered serious loss. But, then' II we ~
boc, still further to 1856 conservative year,
wc find that the Conservative CANDIDATE WIS
elected by a majority Of only III. IN 'o'ui 'o'c
of G 2Gj q much narrower margin than 'i'd' V.
This week So that in comparison WIN loco
,herc has been considerable Conservative gain
Jtn,av therefore on the whole, most saleiy DC
ooro,,,ded that the Petersfeld result is Volu vi
serious significance; or, If 1t have any, IL 10 ,''
,ho Iiheral attack, led by Mr.. Gladstone mas
souod The Government majority Is reduced
,o,o,, that If the last preceding contest, but III
creased over that Of the last Dut one. n'
auctuaton is no greater than is usual III jill e,eo
lions. It certainly does not indicate any r'sins
tide Of popular dsaffectlon against 'ne uo'.ln
ment which was so Overwhelmingly eiec'eo WV
wears ago. and which is really doing more 'han
most recent governments to vindica'e inc WIS
dom of that choice.