The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1913-01-07
VIsCOUNT GLADSTONE.
GOVERNOR OF SOUTH
AFRICA. is SO TODAY

Herbert John, first Viscount Glad
stone. Governor-General of the Union
of South Africa and son of one of
EngIand's greatest statesmen, will
celebrate his afty-ninth birthday to-
day. AS the ruler of a new nation
with a heterogeneous population and
diverse interests, Lord Gladstone faced
a difficult task when, three years ago,
he was chosen as the first Governor
of the most recent of the vast domtn-
ions to be added to the British en-
pire. Hatred of everything English
still smoldered in the hearts of the
Beers, conquered but not convicted OF
the desirability of British rule. In
justment, Lord Gladstone has acquit-
ted himself well, and to-day the
Transvaa1 is filled with the homes of
a happy and contented people. The
Union of South Africa, with the son of
THE Grand Old Nam at its helm,
has become real nation, its cornpon-
ent parts as firmly knit as those of the
Dominion of Canada or the Common
wealth of Australia.
Herbert John Gladstone was born at
No IL Downing Street, London. on
of the Rt. Hon. William Ewart Glad
stone the distinguished Prime Min
lister of Great Britain and Catherine,
the eldest daughter Of Sir Stephen
and at University College. Oxford, and
for three years was lecturer on history
at heDl6 college. He began his pO-
litlcai career at the age of twenty-six,
when he contested Middlesex county.
At first successful in politics as the
son of his father, he soon dennonstrat-
ed his right to high Office by his own
ability. AS a Lord of the Treasury,
Financial Secretary of the War Office,
Under-Secretary Of the Home Office,
First Commissioner of Works, and
Chief whip of the Liberal party, he
demonstrated his fitness for the i'm
portant position given him in 1910,
when he was elevated to the peerage-
an honor refused by his distinguish
ed father-and sent to South Africa
as the first Governor of the new I'm
ion.
Gladstone is usually spoken of as one
of the younger school of British
statesmen, and the youthfu1ness of his
appearance justiffes the characterize
ton. Says a writer in a. London pub
Iication:
HE does not look a, day over forty.
hearted way in which he enters into
everything he does, either work or
play. He is firm believer in all
sports. and still goes in for cricket,
cycling, shooting and fishing
Lord GIadstone's job Is not the cas-
lest in the world He has been the
subject OF bitter attacks as an arfsto-
crat who shows a tendency to fus-
sy ceremonial and has been accused
of wishing to establish something re-
sembling a royal court in South At
r1ca- On the OCher hand ne Is charg-
ed with radicaliSIn and subServience to
the labor leaders. On the whole,
however, he is popular with the peo-
pie of the new ''U. S. A. and his ser
vices are given full recognition by the
masses of the people His chivalrous
attitude toward the Beers has won
their friendship, and his policy of con-
has succeeded where
'tstrong-arm'' 'scarpet-bag'' ad1ninistra-
ton would certainly have failed. Boer
leaders who not long ago were fight
ing to the last ditch against the Brit
ish now occupy places Of honor in
Gladstone'S government, and his cor
dial attitude toward them has sailed
whatever sore spots remain from the
long and terrible conflict: The bloody
shirt has been buried in South Africa
and the credit largely belongs to Wis
count Gladstone