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Show Gladstone and the Irish. London, Jan. 25 The Liberals for the moment seem to be without leadership. The Mimistry offered a distinct challenge on Home Rule, but nobody takes it up. Neither Gladstone nor Parnell moves an amendment to the address which is a time-honored time-honored method of attacking the Government. Govern-ment. Probably it is a good party move to abstain. The Ministry, if beaten, would appeal to the country as the champions of Imperial unity, nor could they probably be beaten in the Commons on that issue. Nobody is willing to make the first move or to show hia hand. . Gladstone's speech was the speech of an adroit tactician which committed him to nothing. He regained while speaking nis old ascendancy over the House and excelled himself in hia fervent appeal to the spirit of conciliation and justice. It is doubtful, nevertheless, whether he has not still further, widened the breach in the Liberal party. Everybody understood under-stood the- speech as a bid for the Parnell -ite alliance. The Irish cheered him warmly throughout. His denial of the responsibility for the Home Rul$ schemes' convinced nobody. He did not deny hia conversion to the principle of Home Rule, while his speech confirmed the universal belief in his desire' to secure Irish support by creating an Irish Parliament. Its tone was one of anxious deference. ; to Irish opinion. Nothing marked it -so strongly as when he besought the Irish to forgive him for saying he still warmly, supported Lord Spencer's administration. The Irish members not only forgave him but warmly welcomed the new recruit. |