The Barrow Herald and Furness Advertiser. — 1890-04-08 (Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, England)

NOTES OF THE WEEK.  THE CONDUCT of Emin Pasha in accepting service under the German Government and proceeding at once tc the interior of Africa has been severely criticised, especially by some of the promoters of the Relief Expedition. Emin will begin his new employment without coming back to Europe. He has been relieved from one danger merely to assume a scarcely less responsible post, namely. that of pushing German interests in the vicinity of the great lakes. After all he is not so blameworthy as his accusers would have us believe. He was under no permanent obligation to this country, although Englakd was to a certain extent morally responsible for rescuing him from a perilous situation. That being done Emin was free to choose his own employment, and he accepted the first and most congenial offer made to him. The Germans are entering almost fiercely upon the task of "opening up" the interior of Africa, and it is possible what they believe to be their "interests" may eventually clash with what are believed to be British "interests." The civilizing and colonizing agencies of the two empires will eventually come into contact, but there is surely room for both in the immense territories of the Dark Continent. So keen are the Germans upon Africa that a colonial department is warmly advocated. After all they may not find the new colonies El Dorado.  MR. SECRETARY MATTHEWS has done Some queer things since he took charge of the Home Office. He has now surpassed himself in the treatment of the Crewe murder case. It will be remembered that when the youths Richard and George Davies were found guilty of the crime of killing their father the jury recommended them to mercy on account of their tender age. Everybody understood at the time that the jury were equally unanimous that the degree of guilt in each case was the same. The foreman of the jury now writes confirming that opinion. Public opinion entirely concurs in that decision and in the declaration that both youths should be treated alike. Nobody but Mr. Matthews would have thought of separating the two cases or of drawing such an invidious distinction. The only possible justification for deciding that Richard slu uld die and that George should be respited is that one boy is a year or two older than the other. If this is the way the "clemency of the Crown" is to be exercised the sooner the entire decision is left to the juty the better. In this case Mr. Matthews decided in a diametrically opposite way to the expressed wishes of the jury.  the end the British taxpayer would be I saddled with the cost of buying out the Irish landlords. What those Irish landlords are, or many of them, is clearly shown by " Historicus," whose letter is published in another column. As a whole they are not men for whose benefit British credit should be pledged. Unfortunately Lord V andolph's opposition to the Bill is not characterised by the highest motives. His object is rather to save the Unionist party than legislate wisely for the Irish people. With him it is a question of tactics. He gives us what in his opinion would be an ideal programme of legislation for the session, and were that fulfilled he thinks, "if trade continues good and the harvest be bountiful," Her Majesty's Government might advise a dissolution! Certain Tories do not hesitate to include amongst the blessings of a Conservative Government an improved trade, but it appears they are now ready to claim credit for a good harvest whenever such a thing occurs under a Conservative administration. What irreverent presumption! This, then, is Lord R. Churchill's programme—to retain the £33,000,000 in the pockets of the taxpayers, to pass the Tithes Bill, "and other very useful measures"— by the way what are they f—the Budget, "with its large surplus popularly and wisely disposed," in order to gratify the public mind. These are the subjects on which the Unionist Government is advised to appeal to the country. It is a very "thin" programme indeed, and although it appeals rather strongly to the worst side of human nature, we believe the• country will reject it for something better.  BOOKS ! BOOKS! BOOKS !  EDUCATIONAL AND SCIENTIFIC CLASS BOOKS FOlt ALL EVtININ‘I