New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-10-03
BRITISH PUBLIC APATHETTC.
ONE SIDED ELECTION CONTESTS FAIL
TO AROUSE EXCITEMENT
Copyright: 1900: By The New-York Tribune.I
LBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.I

Copyright; 1900: By The NeW-York Tribune.I
[Bv CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.I
London, Oct g. a. n--The election scenes in
Fleet Street and the political clubs chiefly
remarkable for the lack of excitement The
second days polling has included Battersea and
Northampton. two Of the most interesting bor-
ough contests and has revealed the trend of
opinion in Lancashire and other industrial sec
tions, but the results have been received almost
listlessly in the streets and clubs This apathy
Is due TO the fact that the general result of the
elections Is regarded as foregone conclusion
Not even the most sanguine Liberal has ex-
pected the triumph Of his party, nor hoped for
anything more than a reductton Of the Govern
rnent majority. The loyal example of the colo
MES IN fighting the battles Of the Empire has
brought the Liberal Imperialists we'll to the
front on the Opposition side, and even a mate
rial reduction Of the Government majority, If
it can be effected will not involve a reversal Of
the South African policy. The elections are
passing quietly because the country knows that
there will not be any break in the continuity Of
the Government Of the Empire.
4 fresh batch of uncontested elections sent
the Government we'll up to the figures at the
close of the last Parliament. and polling in Gal
way Town recorded an unexpected Unionist gain
in Ireland The successful candidate is the
eldest son OF Lord Morris, formerly Lord Chief
Justice os Ireland He against two Ma
tionalist candidates in 1895 and defeated,
but has now come out at the head Of the poll
in Home Rule stronghold. He is a Roman
Catholic, and his election is proof that the in
duence of the clergy has not been thrown
against him. The Tories describe this victory
as the first fruits of the Queens visit to the
island and express the hope that it may infiu-
ence the results of the elections in South Ty-
rome and South County Dublin, where T. W.
Russell and Horace P1unkett are opposed by In
dependent Unionists The results Of the polling
for hfty-three seats will be summarized at
later hour
These contests are regarded as decisive in one
respect. The Liberals are defending seven and
the Unionists twenty-five seats which have been
considered doubtful. the Liberals will not have
q better chance for making gains in the borough
elections. Their failures will be an indication
that the Unionists win hold their majority. and
possibly increase IL. unless the county divisions
take line Of their own. The Liberals started
of with gaining Grantham an offset to Cal
way Town. and followed UP their advantage by
capturing Swansea and Gloucester; but the
Unionists increased their majOrities in Bos-
ton, Whitehaven and other boroughs, and
won seat at Stockton-on-Tees. Mr.. Balfour
led of in Lancashire with a largely increased
ring fight and the industrial districts generally
went strongly Unionist.
The Cabinet makers have suspended their ac-
tivities until the results of the appeal to the
country are more clearly known There is a
generally accepted belief that Lord LansdoWne's
successor will be a member Of the Commons,
where good debater is required for the exposi-
ton Of the reform policies favored by Lord Rob-
erts. This will limit the choice OF a new Secre-
tary Of War to Mr.. Chamberlain and Mr.. Wynd-
ham. Old Tories assert that the influence of
Nj Chamberlain has declined, and that he will
not be transferred TO the War Office. The po-
tency Of that influence depends upon the result
Of the appeal TO the country. It will increase II
Parliament be strongly Unionist, for he has
forced the fighting and been the target Of abuse
Il may diminish II the Unionist majority be
cut down The most intimate friends Of Mr..
Chamberlain do not know whether he wishes
the War Office His enemies assert that he will
be unwilling TO play second fiddle 10 Lord Rob
erts for whatsoever is done in the way Of mill
tary reorganization VIII have the authority OF
the Commander-in-Chief Mr.. Chamberlain, Mr
Wyndharn and Lord Roberts are, alike convinced
that the military resources Of the colonies
which have been heavily drawn upon in South
Africa. must not be lost sight Of. but utilized
Continued seventh page.