New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-18

more congeniai position now. with nominal ad-
,n,nistrative work in connection with the Treas
ury and with full play in the House for his
amiahle personal qualities. which promote the
success Of leadership. Mr.. Balfour may be a
hating debater. but he has tact and is liked by
mon of all parties Probably there is no other
man on the front Government bench who has
an few enemies or so many friends in the House.
The Chancellor Of the ExcheQuer Is not equally
nopular and he is a feebler debater Mr.. Cham
berlain is incomparably superior as debater
and tactician, but he is envied and feared, ana
not generally liked and trusted.
LORD LANsDowNE's PROSPECTS.
Lord Lansdowne is frequently mentioned as
lord Salisburys probable successor in the For
egn Office and diplomatsts believe that TINS Is
the most likely solution Of the problem "hat
ia generally expected. however. Is that Lord
Salisbury unless warned by his physicians
against this course. will retain his post II ne re-
Turns to England greatly benefited In heaith
nv his vacation in the Riviera. There mas been
an active agitation led by The Times TOT MS
resgnation but now that something mas peen
done in China and public discomfort WIN the
-o,cv Of inaction has been allayed. it is proba-
bic that nothing more VIII be heard aoou. his
rs,,rement unless his health be permanently i'm
nal
and ordinarily thrves on unremltting labor lie
will probably prefer TO work on IN Silence even
a, the risk of exhaustng his powers. rather
than 70 face the exasperating difficulties of Cab
met reconstruction.
rhara &c an explanation OF the failure Of Mr..
c,adstone's Home Rule policy which can only
IA hoard in the smoking-room OF the best club
I, London. with its unlicensed bar This Is the
49,. .. Parliament exchange condolences and
,oin 70 visitors the deep things OF politics.
Mic secret. as unfolded to me by a veteran. is
,hs fact that Mr.. Chamberlain is not only one
=, the hardest smokers of the lounging-roo
~, &c also a Unitarian. 1t is confidently asserted
.hot ~ no had been Churchman or Wesley
O, or Scotch Presbyterian Mr. Gladstones irish
noIicv might not have failed With all MS
breadth OF mind Mr.. Gladstone is described oy
some Of his own followers as singulariy mario"
at some points and especially in matters OF re-
l,gious faith and prejudice. When MT Cham-
berlain entered Parliament and made himself
felt as a Radical debater of great power MT.
Gladstone was slow in recognizing his ABILITY.
The reason assigned Is that with his intense re-
ligious nature and zeal as a High Churchman'
he could not forget that Mr.. chamberlain was
Unitarian Even when the member for Bir-
minsham entered the Cabinet Mr.. Gladstone
found IL difficult TO overcome this prejudice lie
continued to distrust his colleague.
This first premise l cannot vouch FOR except
on such evidence as has been referred TO. but
when II has been admitted as tenabe the re-
nainder of the argument is logical. Mr.. Cham
berlain at the outset IN closer touch with
the Irish members than Mr.. Gladstone had ever
been He sometimes seemed TO be In secret ALL
ance with them. and to be forcing his own views
upon the Cabinet. At last Mr.. Gladstone him.
self became a convert to Home Rule. If ne had
taken Mr. Chamberlain into his confidence and
obtained the assistance Of that practical mind
in working out the details Of Home Rule legis-
lation. veterans in the House declare that the
result would have been radically different He
seemed unable TO do this. He continued 10 dis
trust him. There an utter lack or sym
pathy between the two statesmen. Mr.. Glad
stone neglected the opportunity OF securing an
ally by sharing counses with him. II ne had
taken pains to win this one man he could have
gone to the country. and Home Rule would nave
been Irresistible. AS II was. Mr.. Chamberlain
at the parting Of the ways took stand against
Mr. Gladstones policy and became the victorious
champion Of unionism. J. n. r.