DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.17752#0006
f
Vol. LXXXII.]
his office, as did Lord Cowpee, the Yiceroy. They were
succeeded by Lord Spencer as Lord Lieutenant, and
Lord Frederick Cayendish as Chief Secretary.
On the 6th May the country was startled by the horrible
news of the assassination of Lord Fredericii Cavendish,
and of Mr. Burice, the Under Secretary, butchered by
desperadoes in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. This calamity
caused a change in all preceding hopes, plans, and arrange-
ments. Mr. Trevelyah was appointed Ohief Secretary,
and Sir WlLLiAM Harcourt immediately introduced a
Prevention of Crimes Bill, whose most stringent provisions
were directed against secret societies. Supported by the
bulk of the Liberal and Conservative parties, it has been
angrily and obstinately opposed point by point, by the Irish
Members, and has not yet passed the Lower House, though
special action to ensure its early passage is now in imme-
diate contemplation.
An Arrears of Bent Bill (Ireland) was also introduced in
May, whose provisions as summarised by the Times, were
as follows :—
“ Starting from the abortive clause relating to arrears in the Land Act,
hut adopting from Mr. Redmond’s Bill the principle of ‘ gift and com-
pulsion,’ instead of tlie principle of ‘ loan and voluntary arrangement ’ . . .
the Ministerial measure proposed to give either landlord or tenant power to
apply to the Land Court, under certain conditions, for carrying out a com-
position with the aid of public funds. The conditions were tiiat the tenant
should have satisfied the landlord as to the year’s rent due for 1SS1, that he
should prove his inability to pay the arrears, and that the holding should be
under £30 valuation, subject to whicli the State would pay the landlord half
the remaining arrears, not in any case exeeeding a year’s rent, the remainder
to be wholly cancelled. The Irish Church Surplus, it was estimated, would
Kuifice to meet the charge, but in case of failure the Consolidated Fund would
contribute the necessary amount.” (See Cartoon, “ Arrears,” p. 259.)
This Bill, though meeting with much opposition from the
Conservative Benches, passed its Second Beading by 269 to
157, and is still under discussion in Committee.
Egyptian affairs, whose disturbed condition at the end
of 1881, was described in our last “ Introduction,” soon
became critical. The English Government had announced
that the aims of their policy were 1 ‘ the maintenance of the
sovereignty of the Sultay, the authority of the Khedive,
and the rights of the people under existing- firmans and
treaties in cordial co-operation with Erance, and with the
approval of the other Great Powers.” But Arabi and his
followers grew in strength and menaced the independence
of the Khedive. In May, therefore, England and France,
whose policy had already shown signs of divergence, agreed
so far upon joint action as to send a squadron of English
and French ironclads to Alexandria. A conference of the
Great Powers was proposed by France with a view to the
reinstatement of the status quo ante Arabi. The Sultan
was invited to take part therein, and urged to remove
Arabi and support Tewfik Pasha, the Khcdive. But
Turkey as usual, pursued a policy of duplicity and delay.
In May the English and French governments presented a
joint ultimatum to the Egyptian Ministeiis demanding the
removal of Arabi, but the latter supported openly by the
Army and the Nationalists, and it was suspected secretly
favoured by the SuLtan, stood his ground in spite of the
Kiiedive. On the 11th May, a street riot took place in
Aiexandria in which Europeans were attacked, Mr. Cookson
[January to June, 1882.
the English Consul being wounded and several persons
killed. This was followed by a great exodus of Europeans,
and as the Khedive appears powerless, the Sultan shifty,
and Arabi defiant and menacing, it is believed that more
vigorous measures on the part of England and the Powers,
in the interest of the maintenance of order and of the safety
of the Suez Canal, are now imminent.
In France, M. Gambetta’s short-lived Ministry was
deposed in January, the Scrutin de Liste proposals being
rejected by the Chamber. M. de Freycinet succeeded
him. At one time hopes were entertained of a successful
issue to the negotiations for the renewal of the Commercial
Treaty between France and this country, but these are now
almost-abandoned. (See Cut, “Broken Ties,” p. 15.) Con-
siderable differences of opinion have developed themselves
as regards the action consequent upon our joint interven-
tion in Egypt, M. Gambetta being inclined to a more
active policy than that favoured by M. de Freycinet, and,
apparently, by the French nation. These have led to some
embarrassment in our own proceedings. (See Cartoons,
pp. 271 and 295.)
In Germany, Prince Bismarck’s domestic policyhas met
with much opposition and several defeats, but his influence
in European affairs continues to be potent if unobtrusive.
Punishment was inflicted upon the murderers of the late
Czar of Bussia, and exceptional measures of repression and
precaution have been adopted in that country; but the forces
of anarchy if kept under are not annihilated, andthe present
Czar has not yet been able to appear in public or to go
through the ceremony of coronation.
A special and most discreditable feature of the tims has
been the outbreak in Bussia and elsewhere of fanatical y er-
secution of the Jews. (See Cartoon, “ A Cry from Christen-
dom,” p. 43).
In America the hopes entertained that President Arthur
would be disposed to carry out the reforming policy of his
murdered predecessor have been disappointed. After a long
and painfully farcical trial, Guiteau, the assassin of Presi-
dent Garfield, was convicted and executed. But the
“Stalwart” section of the Bepublican partv to which he
belonged, has to all appearances been favoured by President
Arthur, and the prospects of his administration, and of
the party to which he belongs, are not regarded as hopeful.
In the obituary of the half-year are many conspicuous
names, notably that of the Italian soldier and patriot
'Garibaldi, who died at Caprera early in June, his death
being marked in his own country and elsewhere by every
token of regard and every tribute of honour.
An attempt, happily unsuccessful, upon the life of the
Queen was made in March by a man named Roderick
Maclean. This man, a crazy egotistic creature, fired upon
Her Majesty' as she was leaving Wmdsor station. The
incident was the occasion of a warm manifestation of public
sympathy with the Sovereign, and of general rejoicing at
her escape, a manifestation gracefully and feelingly acknow-
ledged by the Queen in a letter which she addressed to the
nation. (See Oartoon, “ God Save the Queen ! ” p. 126.)
INTEODU CTION.
Vol. LXXXII.]
his office, as did Lord Cowpee, the Yiceroy. They were
succeeded by Lord Spencer as Lord Lieutenant, and
Lord Frederick Cayendish as Chief Secretary.
On the 6th May the country was startled by the horrible
news of the assassination of Lord Fredericii Cavendish,
and of Mr. Burice, the Under Secretary, butchered by
desperadoes in the Phoenix Park, Dublin. This calamity
caused a change in all preceding hopes, plans, and arrange-
ments. Mr. Trevelyah was appointed Ohief Secretary,
and Sir WlLLiAM Harcourt immediately introduced a
Prevention of Crimes Bill, whose most stringent provisions
were directed against secret societies. Supported by the
bulk of the Liberal and Conservative parties, it has been
angrily and obstinately opposed point by point, by the Irish
Members, and has not yet passed the Lower House, though
special action to ensure its early passage is now in imme-
diate contemplation.
An Arrears of Bent Bill (Ireland) was also introduced in
May, whose provisions as summarised by the Times, were
as follows :—
“ Starting from the abortive clause relating to arrears in the Land Act,
hut adopting from Mr. Redmond’s Bill the principle of ‘ gift and com-
pulsion,’ instead of tlie principle of ‘ loan and voluntary arrangement ’ . . .
the Ministerial measure proposed to give either landlord or tenant power to
apply to the Land Court, under certain conditions, for carrying out a com-
position with the aid of public funds. The conditions were tiiat the tenant
should have satisfied the landlord as to the year’s rent due for 1SS1, that he
should prove his inability to pay the arrears, and that the holding should be
under £30 valuation, subject to whicli the State would pay the landlord half
the remaining arrears, not in any case exeeeding a year’s rent, the remainder
to be wholly cancelled. The Irish Church Surplus, it was estimated, would
Kuifice to meet the charge, but in case of failure the Consolidated Fund would
contribute the necessary amount.” (See Cartoon, “ Arrears,” p. 259.)
This Bill, though meeting with much opposition from the
Conservative Benches, passed its Second Beading by 269 to
157, and is still under discussion in Committee.
Egyptian affairs, whose disturbed condition at the end
of 1881, was described in our last “ Introduction,” soon
became critical. The English Government had announced
that the aims of their policy were 1 ‘ the maintenance of the
sovereignty of the Sultay, the authority of the Khedive,
and the rights of the people under existing- firmans and
treaties in cordial co-operation with Erance, and with the
approval of the other Great Powers.” But Arabi and his
followers grew in strength and menaced the independence
of the Khedive. In May, therefore, England and France,
whose policy had already shown signs of divergence, agreed
so far upon joint action as to send a squadron of English
and French ironclads to Alexandria. A conference of the
Great Powers was proposed by France with a view to the
reinstatement of the status quo ante Arabi. The Sultan
was invited to take part therein, and urged to remove
Arabi and support Tewfik Pasha, the Khcdive. But
Turkey as usual, pursued a policy of duplicity and delay.
In May the English and French governments presented a
joint ultimatum to the Egyptian Ministeiis demanding the
removal of Arabi, but the latter supported openly by the
Army and the Nationalists, and it was suspected secretly
favoured by the SuLtan, stood his ground in spite of the
Kiiedive. On the 11th May, a street riot took place in
Aiexandria in which Europeans were attacked, Mr. Cookson
[January to June, 1882.
the English Consul being wounded and several persons
killed. This was followed by a great exodus of Europeans,
and as the Khedive appears powerless, the Sultan shifty,
and Arabi defiant and menacing, it is believed that more
vigorous measures on the part of England and the Powers,
in the interest of the maintenance of order and of the safety
of the Suez Canal, are now imminent.
In France, M. Gambetta’s short-lived Ministry was
deposed in January, the Scrutin de Liste proposals being
rejected by the Chamber. M. de Freycinet succeeded
him. At one time hopes were entertained of a successful
issue to the negotiations for the renewal of the Commercial
Treaty between France and this country, but these are now
almost-abandoned. (See Cut, “Broken Ties,” p. 15.) Con-
siderable differences of opinion have developed themselves
as regards the action consequent upon our joint interven-
tion in Egypt, M. Gambetta being inclined to a more
active policy than that favoured by M. de Freycinet, and,
apparently, by the French nation. These have led to some
embarrassment in our own proceedings. (See Cartoons,
pp. 271 and 295.)
In Germany, Prince Bismarck’s domestic policyhas met
with much opposition and several defeats, but his influence
in European affairs continues to be potent if unobtrusive.
Punishment was inflicted upon the murderers of the late
Czar of Bussia, and exceptional measures of repression and
precaution have been adopted in that country; but the forces
of anarchy if kept under are not annihilated, andthe present
Czar has not yet been able to appear in public or to go
through the ceremony of coronation.
A special and most discreditable feature of the tims has
been the outbreak in Bussia and elsewhere of fanatical y er-
secution of the Jews. (See Cartoon, “ A Cry from Christen-
dom,” p. 43).
In America the hopes entertained that President Arthur
would be disposed to carry out the reforming policy of his
murdered predecessor have been disappointed. After a long
and painfully farcical trial, Guiteau, the assassin of Presi-
dent Garfield, was convicted and executed. But the
“Stalwart” section of the Bepublican partv to which he
belonged, has to all appearances been favoured by President
Arthur, and the prospects of his administration, and of
the party to which he belongs, are not regarded as hopeful.
In the obituary of the half-year are many conspicuous
names, notably that of the Italian soldier and patriot
'Garibaldi, who died at Caprera early in June, his death
being marked in his own country and elsewhere by every
token of regard and every tribute of honour.
An attempt, happily unsuccessful, upon the life of the
Queen was made in March by a man named Roderick
Maclean. This man, a crazy egotistic creature, fired upon
Her Majesty' as she was leaving Wmdsor station. The
incident was the occasion of a warm manifestation of public
sympathy with the Sovereign, and of general rejoicing at
her escape, a manifestation gracefully and feelingly acknow-
ledged by the Queen in a letter which she addressed to the
nation. (See Oartoon, “ God Save the Queen ! ” p. 126.)
INTEODU CTION.