New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-27
LONDON NOTES.
The Political Ogre-A Timmers
Cabinet Without Headpiece.
London. February i

- .uace and eac undertook IN his declin-
= -.s-s q great work and excited enthusiasm
"a resentment IN equal measure. Mr.. Glad
-. at the height OF the Home Rule agita-
-. vas sngrily denounced as the archenemy
: ,be titled class. a demagOgue appealing to
-, nassions OF the mob and a conspirator
-, the peace OF the United Kingdom. Ian
-. equally violent and unreasonable is now
- IN drawing rooms and clubs against Mr.
-..uberlain. He is reviled in the coarsest
-, IN account OF HIS middle class origin, his
.,,,,csl activiues and his indifference to party
,-..re~ts; and partisanship exhausts its re-
..srces OF defamation in misrepresenting his
.,,,,es and conduct Hatred OF Mr.. Chamber
- has become one Of the evil passions of poll
-, and society. In the House OF Commons a
80 nights ago. when he was attacking Sir
r,.--v Campbell Bannerman and exposing the
.-.sche-y CT the pro-Boers. the faces on the
,..,+ Opposition bench were white with rage.
- the Radicals and Nationalist were dashed
,-,o frenzy OF excitement by his reproaches
-, .arcssrns. In drawing rooms II is no longer
-. 10 introduce his name. for his opponents
,.s. self-command when they hear It. and there
=. ernlosions OF irrational criticism and politi-
:, v-rsfh. as there were in Mr.. Gladstones
uon. Rule period. Even the best hammered
..-not be depended upon TO keep his temper
chen an American speaks wei Of the Protec-
..-,s. ogre II is indeed the last straw.
80 !, seems to break the back OF the most pa
.s,. and long suffering Philistine camel
rhsre IS another parallel which is equally
..-,,,re NJ. Gladstone was never a favorite
,,h Queen Victoria and during the closing
-..-s OF the reign the influence OF the court
=. Invariably against him. The traditions
- nrsctice OF constitutional monarchy were
- violated and there was no direct inter
..-roe bv. royal personages or favorites in DO
-, notifies. but society took its tone from
a, rourt and was markedly anti-Gladstone.
n. Prince OF Wales now King Edward. was
ss erception that proved the rule. and his
ssmoship FOR Mr.. Gladstone. while unquestion-
shr sincere. was explained at the time as a
,so,tul attempt to offset his mothers uncon-
cssed prejudice and dislike and 20 reaojust
the balance OF royal influence IN English poll
ties. King Edward. IN HIS turn Is as careful
and scrupulous as his mother was, and avoids
an appearances OF taking any part IN the fiscal
controversy or In any other question OF domestic
pcitics. but HIS sympathies and prejudices are
known. and society Is affected by them He Is
not an sdnirer OF Mr. Chamberlain and is
credited with being a convinced Free Trader
ana with fsvoring the Devonshire-Roseoery
coalition against the tariff reform cause. The
influence OF the court is against Mr.. Chamber
iain. as II was against NJ Gladstone: yet Il
Is not openly or extensively exercised The
Kings preferences and pre5udices have been In
ferred from the politics and opinions OF those
whom he meets at country houses like Chats
worth; and there was a fun rally Of what used
20 be known as 'the Prince OF waless set"
when wimborne House was opened last week 20
liberals, Wings, Radicals and Free Trade
Tories. and the masterful, ambitious Duchess
az Devonshire was saluted as the next Prime
Minister'S wife So strong is the court influence
the Free Trade side that Il Is perhaps a
wise safeguard TO have an offset to It. as in
Queen Victoria's time. The Prince OF Wales
Is popularity reputed TO be q convert 20 Mr..
chamberiain's policies. but ne is not 20 indis-
Greet as 70 offer any display OF his opinions
BIS journeys to Australia. South Africa and
Canada have made an Innperialist OF him, and
his watchword, Wake up. EnglandT" has served
10 Identify him with the cause OF national de-
fence OF imperilled industries.
The Prime Minister'S Illness has left the front
Ministerial bench without either a leader or a
policy Mr.. Morley's amendment to the address
has produced series OF Ministerial defences
which reveal individual bias rather than col
lective Cabinet opinion. The Chancellor OF the
EKchequer, compelled TO choose between flial
affection and loyalty 10 the Prime Minister.
has committed himself without reserve to Colo
MAJ preference. and ar. Gerald Balfour. forced
IN Ike manner 70 decide between fraternal
obligation and political conviction on the fiscal
question, has shown that he is an affectionate
ana Jealous brother. The president OF the
Board Of Trade has suddenly pumped for Free
Trade ana the Parliamentary Secretary OF the
same body has answered him from the same
bench anG virtually avowed himself TO be a
chamberlain Protectionist. Mr.. wyndham IS a
haiournian IN methods. and only awaits a
tlsnal from Downing Street IN order TO dress
ne Caoinef window artistically with either a
7'alaron. Colonial Preference or Free Trade
oeseh and Mr. Broderick viii probably be
EQUALLY serviceable 70 the best man at his sec
on0 wedding Mr.. Long and Mr. Alfred Lyttel-
.A are ardent Chamberlainites. and shrug their
-0uiosrs when their colleagues defend Free
-i~oe' and Mr.. Akers-Dougias, Mr.. Arnold
~ ano other occupants OF the front gov
. bench are neutrals. who are disposed
- TOT me Prime Minister'S lead before fol-
wing anybodys suit. There has not been such
a. sOurg on the ministerial benches since
=. @faeA from the Opposition side. became
s1oer OF the Tory squires ana rnercilesslv
hss eno upset the Peel government. which
,,or. ----'eo free Trade ana crushed oConneIrs
- .-u The game OF seesaw which has
-. !, !. proeress on the front ministerial bench
me-, -, opening Of the session. with govern
&c.. 49, low down among the glittering gen
1-o,.s.,' " rree Trade one day and high on the
va side the next day. and well abreast
~. .''l'erloan common sense and German prac-
.-r,.--. ua'esty upon responsible cabinet gov
ss,s.s Suspicious Radicals who have con-
Ia. - season and out OF Il that AR. Balfour
=. oeen insidiously planning Mr. crban,herla,n,s