The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-02-10
ROSEBERY is SHY.
Eyes of the Opposition Turned
Upon Him
AS the Possible Successor of
Bannerman,
WHO GROWS WEARY.
British Ministry Has Affairs
Well In Hand
WHO GROWS WEARY.
But Situation May Be Changed
By Events In Africa.

copyright, 1900 by Associated Press.J
London, Feb. 10.-It has been great
week for the government. AS foretold
in these dispatches, Lord Salisbury held
his own in parliament and with the
country. The disunited Liberal party
was no match for the Conservative or
ganization, and even the small minori-
ties mustered into the lobbies were
largely leavened with discontinued
members. who, much against their wills
voted in favor of the party amendment.
The crushing government victory in the
bye-election at York and the definite
break between the Liberals and the re-
united Irish leaves the field clear for the
party in power.
Already a meeting of the Liberal par
ty has been called to express confidence
in its leader in the house of commons,
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, and 1t
is freely rumored that he medltate5
throwing up the thankless task of the
nominal leadership and that the oppo-
sition is turning wistful eyes in the d.
recJion of Lord ROsebery. That Social
ed SPHINX however, IS much loo acLutS
to retake the guidance of such an i'll
conditioned body during a period so
crucial in the country's history and
though, SpaSmodically, he eVinceS a de-
sire to reenter the field of active poll
ties, he is the last man in the world to
take a pig in a poke, hence the remain
der of the session will probably be only
marked by desultory opposition, the
Liberals taking the middle of the road
course and the Irish adhering to out
and out denunciation of the govern
ment and its war. But, neither Will be
able to prevent the chancellor of the eX-
cheQuer, Sir Michael Hicks-Beac from
passing any financial measures he de-
cideS upon to meet the tremendous
drain caused by the hOstilties- In the
same way, the secretary for war, the
MARQUIS of Transformers hands cannot
hp fOrPpd and vyhataNpr ordinations.
Investigations or reforms may be forth
coming in relation TO Great Britain
military system, they must await the
consent of that much abused cabinet
member.
The reunition of the Irish members
under Mr.. John Redmond may be re-
garded more as a personal triumph for
that stalwart independent than as haV-
ing serious bearing upon the politics
of the immediate future. The organs of
all the Irish parties are unanimous in
declaring he is the right man in the
right place. Yet, since the downfall of
Charles Stewart Parneu Mr.. Redmond's
hand has been against almost every
other mans, SteadfaStly refusing all
compromise, until, by sheer strength
of character he has forced his country
men to acknowledge his abilities as a
leader of no mean order. However,
while his party continues to act with
out alliance with any English section
J he can accomplish practically nothing.
II the present IGnG1lOQS OESdnlZdIlOu
proves permanent, which some people
doubt, it may be a powerful factor af-
ter the conclusion Of the war especially
subsequent to the next general election.
But, until then, it is hard to see how
the Irish members can effect anything
except intermittent obstruction and ad-
vOcacy of the Beers cause, which daily
diminisheS the possibility of securing
home rule. However, it must always
be borne in mind that the govern
ment's supremacy would be consider
ably modified in the event of an over
Whelming British defeat, or failure to
attain some definite and important OBJ
| jective But such is Lord Salisbury s
strength and so Injured has the nation
grown to reverses, that it is scarcely
feasible to conceive that the greatest
of such disasters could accomplish the
complete downfall of the present min
iStry.
The most instructive index of public
/ feeling is the cessation of bitter critic
ism Of the government by the leading
organs after the voting in the house of
commons and at York had proved that,
right or wrong, Lord Salisbury's cab
| met retained it's hold. With the eXcep-
| ton of Mr.. Joseph ChamberIain's statesa
| manHke speech, Mr.. Timothy Healy
/ stands out as a bright exception to a
rather featureless debate, while he
| stirred the anger of the Liberals and
/ Conservatives alike and outraged their
/ patriotism, Mr.. Healy was unanimous
| Iy, though grudgingly, accorded praise
/ for making the finest rhetorical effort
! heard since the houses convened. His
| delivery and language were worthy of
| Edmund Burke and the best orators
who have spoken the English tongue.
And, those who are saying this have
added in the same breath that the man
ought to be shot for a traitor.
So much for the political happenings
which, with the war, have divided the
interest of the week
The centenary Of the birth of the late
William Henry Fox Talbot February
ID the father of photography, is being
celebrated by raising a memorial fund
which is to be devoted to the restora-
ton of the church at Laycock Abbey
| Wiltshire, Talbot's old home. His ser
| vices to photography have been revived
| in editorials.