The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-27
LONDON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
Speculation Concerning the DIssoIu
ton of Parliament.

Speculation CONCERNING the Disso1u-
ton of Parliament.
LONDON. May s26.-Quite furry was
created in political circles this week by
hints. which some well-accredited persons
| have dropped, that dissolution Of Parlia-
ment may come this year after all. The
fact is, that Ministers have purposely left
the date of the general elections undecided.
and those who claim to know say that
sharp tussle is now proceeding in the Cabi-
net on the point whether the present war
like fervor Of the public mind should or
should not be taken advantage OF to re-
turn khaki majority to the House OF Com
mons.
Mr.. Chamberlain is credited with a de-
sire for elections this summer, or at the
latest In October. Lord Salisbury is, said
to prefer oldfashioned tactics-that Is, to
wait till the term of Parliament is up and
go sedately and soberly to the country on
the whole Government policy, after another
session of Parliament. The fact that
Ministerialist has this week been trium-
phantly returned for the seat in the Isle
Of Wight. vacated by Sir Richard Websters
elevation to the peerage, is, OF course.
made the most OF by the ro-dissolution-
lists, but the safest plan probably Will be
to follow the advice heard Minister give
two months ago: Il would not II l were
YOU" he said, put your money on an cleo
ton for this year.
Meanwhile, astute Tory managers are
using this dissolution talk as lever
In the press for the attempted coercion OF
Liberals in the matter of South Africa set
fInVtn ny,N Cs,nL, rn6 in
the Times" yesterday are common just
now in inspired ministerial organs. 1t
read: I'VE quite agree with Lord Kimber-
ley. 1t Is not desirable to make the En-
pire the watchword of party. We trust his
friends in and out Of Parliament may avoid
that error when they discuss settlement az
ter the war. But If they are unwise enough
to challenge the complete incorporat on OF
both Dutch Republics into the dominions
of the Crown, it will be the natural course
for the Government to accept the challenge,
and obtain, as unquestionably they would,
the sanction of the nation for the policy
they are determined to carry out" Which
means that a khaki general election there
will be, II the opposition dare to join issue
on this matter.
But, whether they occur this year Or
next, the elections are near enough to en-
courage general speculation as to the per-
sonnet of the coming conflict. VIII Lord
Salisbury continue to lead the Unionlst
party? Times beyond counting he has
been accredited with intentions Of resign
ing and going back to his laboratory and
his quiet family life at Hatfield as man
OF seventy years of age, who has given
forty-seven years to public service, is FULLY
entitled to do, and there are now plenty
81 politicians who say that he will no. be
the leader OF the Unionist party, certainly
not Foreign Secretary, in the next Cabinet.
In that case the Duke of Devonshire would.
presumably, lead the party. Many Tories
would resent this predominance of the
Liberal-unioMst wing, and more would
fear the effect upon a party which has
largely to live upon its imperial enthusi-
asms of that cold, heavy, depressing way
that the duke has with him. But the
premiership Of the duke might well be
regarded as the lesser Of two evils, for 1t
might keep Mr.. Balfour in the leadership
of the House Of Commons and keep Mr..
Chamberlain, therefore, from the helm.
AS for the9Liberal position, in view of
the general elections. 1t is exactly where
it was. The party is leaderless and at
skies and sevens on those matters of
South African policy which are uppermost
in the public mind. Sir William Harcourt |
is still quiescent.. Mr.. Morley did, last |
Saturday snatch "a few hours from his |
Life Of Gladstone" to deliver stirring |
defence OF Cobdenisfn and the Manchester |
School at Cambridge, but his close contact |
with Dolitics Is now too fitful to permit OF |
thoughts Of leadership from him. Sir H.
Campbell Bannerman is still regarded
as useful stopgap. nothing more. There
remains Lord Rosebery. and it is round
his personality that speculation again !,
moves. There is a growing expectation
that when the moment comes Lord Rose
berry will take army reform for his chief
text, and endeavor to create a party of
Liberal imperialists, in which Lords Kim.
berley and Spencer will be numbered in
the House of Lords, and Sir Henry Fowler,
Mr.. Herbert Asquith, Sir Edward Grey,
and probably also Mr.. James Bryce in the
House of Commons.
Russia's operations In Korea in defiance
Of engagements entered into when the
British consented to evacuate Port HamiI
ton are not exactly feather in the cap of
Lord Salisbury. Lord Rosebery would not.
have turned a blind eye to such a fragrant
disregard of pledges. For that matter
neither would Mr.. Gladstone. But the Gov
eminent evidently is prepared to consider
he Russian absorption of Korea as a part
If the price England pays for South Africa.
Will not France now move ahead in Moroc-
20? The fact is that British hands are full.
and England is too busy today to attempt
% back up by pressure. much less by war,
he diplomatic buster of yesterday.
The Boer delegates visit to Washington
S regarded here with mild amusement
The Spectator" this morning smiles over
he whole affair, and speaks of the dele
gates as not eloquent nor very wise, but
dds that they need not feel in the least
hamefaced at their failure. for, although
hey probably never heard Of him. they are
'nly doing what NJ. Theirs did before them
With the same result. The Saturday Re-
lew takes similar half ocular line. but
uggests that the delegates have been
made tools Of by Tammany for purposes
'urely American.