The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1888-07-18 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

WEDNESDAY, JULY 18, 1888.  THE correspondence which took place between Mr. O'Donnell, M.P., and Mr. Herbert Gladstone, M.P., in the eventful months of April and May, 1882, and which is now for the first time published, throws a flood of light on certain contentious points in Irish history. Assuming, as we must, that the then Premier waslaw are of the correspondence, and that the son in some measure reflected his father's views, the memorandum of conversation between Mr. O'Donnell and Mr. Gladstone shows very plainly that in April, 1882, the Liberal party were not indisposed to grant important concessions to Ireland, and to deal generously with the question of arrears, but they were none the less determined that crime slibuld be put down with a stern hand. This was the condition of affairs at the time of the release of Mr. Parnell and his fellow prisoners from Kilroain. ham. The opponents of Mr. Gladstone will, no doubt, endeavour to show that the correspondence furnishes fresh proof of a " treaty " which has been over and over again denied. But, to a fairminded man, the letters prove no such thing. Both parties to the correspondence were anxious to find a fondue vivendi by which the Irish question, which had been troubling both coun tries for centuries, might be settled upon lines of justice and fairDNS, and the last paragraph in Mr. Gladstone's notes shows that an one imFortant point the Nationalist members were then of the same opinion as they are now, though it suits the Unionists to proclaim a different story. The paragraph is as follows : Home Rule: The Irish detest and repudiate the notion of separation, as their interests are identical with those of England. Dillon and a few enthusiasts are alone in their ideas. All they  want is to manage their own affairs, and to get as much as possible out of England." All the world knows how the release of the Bilmainham prisoners was followed in four days by the dreadful tragedy in Phcenix Park, which resulted in the passing of a Coercion Bill, and the further irritation of the Irish people. It is fair to assume that but for the murders referred to, Irish history during the past six years would have worn a different aspect, and pos, sibly the Irish people might now have been living in the enjoyment of a large portion of the privileges which they are still battling for. However that may be, Ireland herself has been the greatest sufferer from that insane act of her professed friends. It is a matter for congratulation that at the present time the battle for Home Rule is being fought on constitutional lines, and that the English Liberals are in the fore-front of the battle.  ON Thursday last General Boulanger, the latest " hero " of the French people, went to the Chamber of Deputies and tc ok part in an exciting debate. M. Floquet, the Premier, replied to the General's remarks, bat was told plainly that he was "an impudent liar." General l3oulanger's harangue was embellished by other flowers of oratory, and finally he left the room defeated and threatening to resign his seat. M. Floquet, however, was not satisfied even with the defeat of the General. That delicate point, a Frenchman's "honour," had been impeached, and he demanded "satisfaction." Accordingly a duel was arranged and took place with lees formality of procedure than usually occurs in connection with "affairs [of honour" across the Channel. In the result General Boulanger received a sword thrust dangerously near the jugular vein, and now lies hors de combat, with plenty of leisure to think of his rashness in provoking the ire of the French Premier. The spectacle of the General who is supposed to represent the military spirit in France being laid aside through injuries received in a duel is an instructive one, and leads one to ask whether civilisation is, after all, as far advanced as we are accustomed to believe. The lat2lt accounts state that the General's condition is decidedly better, and that he is expected to be all right again in about a fortnight.