Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-24

various times he held the offices Of post
land, secretary of state for India. secre-
tary of state for war and lord rector OF
the University of Glasgow.
Among his country seats were Chats
the show places of England. There and
at Devonshire house. in London, are mag
nificent picture galleries. The successor
to the title will be Victor c. W. Caven-
dish, who is liberal unionst and repre-
sents the west division Of Derbyshire in
the house of commons, He is forty years
old.
News a Surprise.
LONDON. March 24.-The news OF tho
death of the Duke Of Devonshire at
Cannes came Unexpectedly to England
and has caused widespread regret. AL
though the duke had been ailing since he
suffered a sudden attack Of heart weak
ness at Windsor Castle last June. and in
spite of some alarming reports that reach
ed London during his sojourn in Egypt
this winter, the recent accounts OF his
health had been SO reassuring that the
news of his death has come almost as A
surprise 1t was known that his physi-
clans had ordered him to be most care
full. but even this had not prepared his
friends for the announcement of this
morning. Yesterday. however. the family
of the duke were advised of a relapse,
and Victor c. w. Cavendish. his nephew.
and Lord Charles Montagu went to
Cannes and were present when the end
came.
Long Political Career.
The death of the duke leaves a gap in
the public life of Great Britain, for al
though his withdrawal from the Bal
four ministry when Joseph Chamberlain
launched his fiscal policy estranged him
from a majority of the public. he still had
large following in the country, and -
president of the Unionist Free Trade
League he took an active part in the
campaign against tariff reform. He de-
liyered his last speech on this question
just one year ago. on the occasion Of the
Jubilee of his entrance upon political
career.
litical life than the Duke of Devonshire.
He had been almost continuously cabf-
net member, in charge of some important
department. as a liberal before the split
with Gladstone. and later as eaoer or
the liberal -unionists. He led the liberals
during the temporary retirement of Glad
stone in 1875. and was offered but re-
fused, the premiership after the Midlo-
THAN campaign in 1880. He was again
offered this honor upon the defeat OF
home rule, but he again refused.
Houses Were Show Places.
The duke was also active socially. and
his entertainments at his Piccadilly resi-
dence and at Chatsworth House in Der
byshire and his other country houses
were the most notable of their kind.
Members of the royal family frequently
were his guests. particularly at Chats
worth House. where the hunting and
shooting and the theatricals in the dukes
private theater offered entertainment to
which King Edward was partial.
The duke was often the guest Of his
majesty and ii was when he was with.
the king at Windsor last June for the
Ascot races that the first serious symp-
toms of heart weakness were displayed.
Last fall he left London for Egypt to
spend the winter. In January recuf-
renee of the heart weakness was report
ed but from this he rallied and was abe
to start for home, stopping al Cannes TO
rest
The duke has no immediate family, and
the dukedom passes TO dis nephew. Mr..
Cavendish who married the daughter or
Lord 1anSdowne.
The death of the duke places badge Of
the Order of the Garter at the disposal OF
King Edward and this. in accordance
With custom, will he returned to his ma
jesty by the successor TO the title.