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Show GLADSTONE TO JENNINGS. Would Like (o Visit America, but , Politics Keep Him at Home. London, Januarys. Late last month John Jennings, who is connected with the London News Agency which supplies the American press with much English- news, wrote a let- I ter to Gladstone inviting him to visit America. Amer-ica. The letter assured Mr. Gladstone that j he would be received in America with the heartiest welcome, and even ventured to express ex-press the idea that the personal investigation investiga-tion of the workings of the Constitution of the United States on the part of Gladstone would be productive of most . important results, re-sults, such as no amount of reading would enable him to attain. Such investigation, it was suggested, would enable him to deal with the question of Home Kule for Ireland with a far greater degree of confidence. The letter further states that Americans generally gener-ally believed that Gladstone was the only" man able to grapple successfully with this question. In substantiation of this statement, state-ment, a dispatch from New York to that effect was enclosed in the letter. A reply to this letter has just be received from Gladstone. It is as follows: - Ha warden, January 5. Dear Sir: I do not regard such an invitation invi-tation as you transmitted to me on the 23d otherwise than an incident requiring my best consideration for a chance that reflection reflec-tion might open to me some way of compliance. compli-ance. I am sorry, however, to report that I have not been able to arrive at this result. My physical strength is not such as would permit me to undertake the voyage to America, Amer-ica, and the imperative demands on my time and thought in connection with the present state of political affairs allow no intermission intermis-sion of attention. The invitation itself, however, constitutes a new tie of good feeling feel-ing with America. I shall ever remember it with a thankful acknowledgment, while the knowledge that so many friendly eyes are watching the course of events in this country with reference to Ireland will be a new incentive in-centive to to the performance of a patriotic and philanthropic duty. I remain, dear sir, Your faithful servant, W. E. Gladstone. It is learned on high authority that Mr. Gladstone was disposed to accept the invitation. invita-tion. He is willing to risk his health in the voyage to America, but political uncertainty has so far prevented him from making the trip. He may possibly be induced to visit the United States in the autumn, after the conclusion of the coming session of Parliament. |