The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-22
Three Conservative Districts Wrested
from the Government and Oppose
tion Members Sent tn Parliament.
INDIGNATION OVER ALLIANCE
BALFOUR's DECKER WITH IRISH Ma
TIONALIsTs RESENTED.
Realignment of Parties n Possibility
Home Rule the Bribe for
Irish support.

LONDON, March 21.-Its begins to look
as If the government was unpopular with
the voters. North Fermanagh has fol-
lowed in the footsteps of Woolwich and
Rye, and elected an opposition member to
the House of Commons in place of the for
mer Conservative member. Mr.. Archdale
who resigned Edward Mitchell, the new
member. who is follower of Mr.. Russell,
defeated the government candidate Captain
Craig, by 152 votes. The Irish Nationalist
voted solidly for Mr.. Mitchell.
The announcement that the government
contemplates bringing in a bill providing
a modified form of home rule for ireland
complexities the present situation, which
already presents an extraordinary muddle.
No measure of home rule can be brought
before Parliament this year, and the Irish
secretary. Mr.. Wyndham, is quite likely to
deny the serious existence OF such plan.
Any denial, however. can be regarded as
mere political evasion, due to the govern
ments desire not to arouse further oppo-
sition among its own supporters until the
Irish land purchase bill is safely passed,
which is not expected until September.
The provisions of the latter measure are
still kept absolutely secret and will not
be revealed until March %, when the bill
will be brought in. The Nationalist men,
bers of Parliament and the Irish Unionists,
including Lord Dunraven, continue hopeful
that 1t will. or, indeed. that il must con-
tain proposals which will in some degree
meet the demands of united Ireland.
Lord Dunraven, while declining to make
any statement regarding the step the gov
eminent has taken looking to a scheme for
home rule and deprecating any announce
ment as likely to prejudice Irish interests.
declared to a representative of the Asso-
ciated Press that there was widespread
feeling among the Unionist landlords for
an extended form of local government.
They saw no reason why all the Irish
parties should not work together towards
that end, as they had done in the land ques-
ton.
The Nationalist leaders refrain from
making any comment and publicly make lit
tie or their now continuous support of
Premier Balfour. The rank and file how
ever, do not hesitate to point out that the
government is now at their mercy and that
the Ministry would twice have been de-
feated this session, thanks to the vigorous
attacks OF the fourth party and the large
abstention of its nominal supporters from
voting. had the Nationalist voted, as they
have done for years, with the opposition
Nationalist member of Parliament said
with dwindling majorities in the House
crushing defeats in the bye-elections and
virulent attacks from the fourth party, ID
really would not be so much out of the way
if Mr. Balfour did bring in home rule bill
though, of course, he viii call il extern
sion of local government
The alliance of the government with the
Irish has caused intense Indignation among
members of the Conservative party, who
however. so far have not publicly expressed
their disapproval. 1t has also caused keen
apprehension among the Liberal forces
who have been put in fresh dilemma. by
the action of X. w. Perks, Liberal, who
practically controls the Nonconformist vote
in England and who is Lord ROsebery's
chief henchman In the House of Commons
in issuing a manifesto declaring that the
Liberal leaders must now choose between
the Irish or Nonconformist alliance He
maintains that the action of the Catho-
lie Irish members in helping the government
to pass the recent education bill in the face
of violent Nonconformist protests forever
prevents an understanding between the Irish
Catholics and the Noneonformists. "What
we are entitled to-" Mr.. Perks says, sis
direct pledge that British nonconformity
will take precedence over the Irish Cath
Ole party" and he advises his fellow-Non
conformists not to vote for the Liberal can.
didate at the forthcoming bye-election II
the Chertsey division of Surrey. Mr.. Perk:
has thus placed Sir Henry Campbell Ban
herman, the Liberal leader, on the horns o.
a dilemma, compared with which even tn,
| recent successes of the Liberals at the poll:
are unimportant, and has added another t
the many confusing issues which are rap
| idly breaking up the long-esta blished party
distinctions on both sides of the House.