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Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 2996, 1 February 1881, Page 2

From late telegrams it appears that the British Government have at length determined to take up a decided position in reference to Irish affairs. It may be that vigorous measures have been too long delayed, but, when the composition of Mr Gladstone's Ministry is taken into consideration, it cannot be a matter of surprise that they have been tardy in adopting coercive measures in Ireland. Within the Cabinet itself there are members of the extreme Radical party, who, from their own personal position and influence, and the large following they possess in tbe present House of Commons, were sure to exercise considerable influence upon the decisions of the Cabinet. Now, however, when, in several Ceunties in Ireland there is no law but the law of the Land league, the law of terror, and where no landlord dare assert a legal right, or put forward a legal claim, even the most extreme members of the Cabinet see that no conciliatory legislation is possible until the law as it at present exists is enforced. In a cablegram dated the 28th instant Mr Bright is reported to have spoken in strong terms of justification of the action of the Government in proposing coercive measures. Mr Bright has ever been in favor of tender legislation for Ireland, and it may be that his presence in the Cabinet has encouraged the ruffian element in that country to attempt to soerce the Government into measures which would neither be just to landlords nor in any way beneficial to the country. It is now clear that the Cabinet have determined to enforce the law as it stands before attempting any legislative boons. The present position of the Irish agitator is clearly this, that he will accept no remedy unless it takes the form of a full concession to all his demands, and hemust and willbe taughtthat no remedy will be attempted, and no boon offered, until the existing law has been vindicated.