New-York tribune., 1903-01-18
NEWS OF TWO CAPITALS.
AFFAIRS IN LONDON.
Torv Opinion 7'o7ca,-d ireland
Observation-Disclosures Dull

csn.csal TO The Neu-york Tribune by French cable)
,copyr1rht: 1905: BY Tribune Assooiationl
London Jan. 17-"The Quarterly Review" has
"A remarkable article on Ireland. which Illus
trstes the transformation OF Tory opinion 81
lently wrought under the Unionfst aominisera-
ton. IL Goes not contain threats of coercion nor
sn exposition OF the justice Of the Redistribution
hin by which Ireland viii be deprived Of con-
siderable share Of political influence at West
minister. 1t foreshadows speedy settlement Oh
the land question, which viii exercise a bene-
fetal effect on the Nationalist party and the
working of LEGAL government in Ireland ano
equip the Irish people for taking proper place
tn the federated empire 1t takes up the
human problem, formulated with lucidity III
Matthew Arnold's Irish Essays, and annci-
mates the softening Of anti-English animosltles
which will follow the cessation Of the lano war
j credits George Wyndham, Sir Anthony Mac
Donnen and the Lord Lieutenant with trying to
he something different from what British rulers
have been hitherto, and to convince the irisn
people that whatever else happens, Ireland
will remain Irish. The present tendencies in the
direction of the settlement OF the land question
sre commended and Irishnen asked to be
lieve that connection with the empire does not
mean the stamping out of national Individuality
but on the contrary. full development OF what
is worthy and admirable in IL.
Horiises like these in the moss-grown Tory
Quarterly are proofs that the predominant
partner is prepared TO take up the Irish aues-
1ions in a tolerant spirit and supplement the
esta hlishnent Of local Administrative bodies
with some form c extended ,.ro1inoial govern
5nent in conjunction with comprehensive
scheme of imperial federation. Generations will
l,e required for these visionary projects, ana
meanwhile the Liberals aided by the Tories
themselves in Withdrawing from the Home Rule
alliance The Conservative slate is covered
over with figures respecting the cost OF the new
scheme of Irish land settlement, whereas Lord
Rosebery's slate is clean so far as lreiano Is
concerned This means that the Unionists VINO
came into power anti-Home Rule party.
will carry the new series of Irish questions into
the next general election whereas the Liberals
will exclude Them under Lord Rosebery's lead
.rship HIS vigorous speech at Plymouth did
not contain single reference to Ireland al
though it was otherwise an effective indictment
Of the government with many counts. as he is
Enthusiastically the only Liberal leader who can
rally the opposition at the next election, and is
working ardousIy 70 that end. This omission is
highly significant. The Irish vote in England
unless ali S'gns fail. will be thrown for the Con-
servatfves out Lord Rosebery viii have large
accessionsi ON the Unionist ranks in appealing
50 the counssy on the main issue of the ineffi-
cheney of the government. which has increased
enormously the burdens Of taxpayers
Mr. Chamberlain, who is Lord Rosebery S
natural antagonist. whoever may be Prime MIN
sster or whoever leader Of the opposition In
the House of Commons. has been working as
Fiduouslv in South Africa in the interest Of the
British taxpayers. His success in procuring the
withdrawal of Natal's war claims is followed by
an arrangement for large contribution to the
expenses of the South African campaign from
the Transvaal by loan based on an Imperial
guarantee The Rand fnanciers would have
agreed to even a greater leXy upon the mining
Industry if unrestricted license for the employ
znent Of Chinese labor could have been obtained,
hut Mr.. Chamberlain has recognized the tenn
porary obligations of the imperial government
as a trustee for the new colony, which will ultf-
Tnately decide the labor question on its own
account when fully armed with the power OF
self lf-government. Mr. Chamberlain has shown
himself equal to every emergency in South