New-York tribune., 1905-01-26

oppressive. a tariff for revenue has become In
i me issues between the two great
let the pendulum swing it may.
The Indications that the Ministry Sc sett,np
its house in order for a general election, either
In the spring or in the autumn have warned
the - position that It must be prepared 10 form
an alternative government whenever the appeal
Is made TO the electorate. There is little doubt
that the next Prime Minister has been selected
so far rs IL is possible to nominate him with
out direct summons from the throne The
choice, If the best precedents are followed will
lie between the Opposition leaders of the two
houses-Lord Spencer and Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman; and the matter has apparently been
settled by the withdrawal of the commoner in
favor OF the earl. If they were TO unite in ad-
vising the King TO summon either the Duke of
Devonshire Lord Rosebery, as Earl Granville
and Lord Harrington did twenty-five years ago
when they retired in favor OF Mr. Gladstone.
third candidate would be named; but unless the
hing acts upon his own initiative as Queen
Victoria did when Mr.. Gladstone finally aban-
ooned public life, Lord Spencer must be re-
garded as the incoming Prime Minister. Ac-
coTdng TO Mr.. Morley's revelation as q biogra
pher, Mr.. Gladstone was prepared to recommend
him as his own successor when he retired from
Office in advanced age: and certainly he is en-
titled TO the leadership by prolonged public ser
vice, dignity Of character and personal sacrifices
when he Viceroy OF ireland in most try
ing period and consistency as most loyal and
devoted follower Of Mr.. Gladstone.
The Radicals have preferred Lord Spencer as
candidate for the leadership because he has
peen as thoroughgoinG a Gladstonien as Mr.
Morley and consequently stands for Home Rule
the disestablishment OF the Welsh Church and
the most progressive principles Of Liberalism.
whether the Liberal majority in the next Par
lament be large small, men like Mr.. Lloyd
George Mr. Labouchere and Mr.. Morley believe
that the government must have the IRISH mem
bers with them rather than against them; and
hence they determined to have a Prime
Minister who td not finch when the Home Rule
bill was passed by the Commons. but boldly
defended IL in the upper house. The Liberal
lmperialists the other hand. Will find ii diff
hcult to follow Lord Spencer II he be dependent
upon Irish support, and without Lord Rosebery.
Mr.. Asduith and Sir Edward Grey the working
power of the new government would be seriously
impaired. The tariff reformers forecast the proba
bilties OF Liberal feUds and dissensions when
thew advocate an early appeal 10 the country.
They are confident that any Ministry which
may be formed after the general election will
be unstable and short lived and that the pendu-
lum Will swing back again In their direction
soon as the new government attempts 70 deal
either with education or Home Rule. They do
not anticipate a large Liberal majority in the
next Parliament; but this may he bad mis-
calculation as Lord Besconsfelds whips made
after his return from the Congress of Berlin
The by-electiOnE indicate a sweeping Liberal VIC
tory, with a majority large enough to release the
new government from Irish support and TO make
1t thoroughly independent as well as consist
entity radical Yet by-elections are often un-
trustw orthy barometers. I. y. F.