IRISH AFFAIRS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1563, 2 April 1887, Page 3

IRISH AFFAIRS.

Lou don, March 29. Father Rvnn, who was recently attested for 'Hal to appear as a witness against a Uniting tenant, has been committed to prison h r again refusing to give evidence. Of the newspaper editorials on the Crimes Bill only one, that of the Daily blows, condemns the measure altogether, the others either warmly support it or •give a qualified approval of it. The Morning Post points to some provisions which might be amended, and urges that the Bill be passed in a modified form. The Daily News declares the Bill odious and absurd, and would utterly fail to accomplish the desired end. The Telegraph save that, taking into consideration the state of Ireland, and the repeated renewal of outrages, the provisions of the measure are not too severe. The Timet strongly advocates the passage of the Bill, and declares that such a measure is imperative if Ireland is to remain an integral part of the Empire, The Standard thinks that both precedent and analogy justify the passing of the Bill. The Chronicle Supports it mainly on the ground that public opinion is in favor of coercion, and that the Bill embodies the national sentiment. A Unionist meeting is to be held on Thursday to disease future action. Later.

Lord Hartington is considerably alarmed at the discontent expressed with the Coercion Bill. A meeting of the Unionist party has been called for Thursday to fully discuss the situation. The Liberal caucus meet on Wednesday.

The Purnellites ridicule the idea of Government attempting to pass the Crimes Bill before Whitsuntide, i'o think of passing it before Easter, they say, is to hope for the impossible, especially as Mr G'adMone has approved of the plan for opposing it by legitimate means. Anti-coercion demonstrations have been arranged similar to those held at the time of the Bulgarian atrocities. Mr Parnell considers the BUI the strongest coercion measure ever submitted to Parliament. It even attempts to create offences unknown in the statute. The first victims under the new law would be the writers in the national papers and Home Rule orators. The resistance offered by his party in the event of the Bill becoming law would be purely passive. They would endeavor to maintain a calm determined stand against tyranny, in order not to alienate their British friends. March SO. The debate on the Irish Crimes Bill was resumed by Mr Gladstone, who declared that, instead of being palliative, it would aggravate disorder in the country. He considered removal of the venue of Irish trials was an insult to the Irish people. Mr Goschen, Chancellor of the Exchequer, expressed regret that Mr Gladstone did not condemn the action of the National League. The sole object of the Bill was to restore order, respect for Her Majesty’s Judges, and the liberty of all classes.

A box covering a phial, supposed to contain fulminate of mercury, has been sent to Mr Balfour, the Irish Secretary. He has frequently been warned by anonymous letters since ac-, cepting his present office to prepare for death.

Mr Gladstone, in the House of Commons last night, said that there was nothing in the condition of the country to justify the increased stringency of thn Crimes Bill, which would brand the Irish with the stigma, of inferiority. Mr Goscben said that the machinations of the Land League bad destroyed the efficiency of the jury system. The Tory and Unionist Press take exception to the provision in the Crimes Bill for the transfer of trials to England, which it is now thought Government will not seriously endeavor to retain. In response to an appeal from Mr Parnell, the American branch of the Land League has promised to be energetic in the coming straggle with Government. The Radicals are promoting active agitation ontside Parliamentary circles against the Coercion Bill, in order te take advantage of the Easter recess. The impression prevails that the box gent to Mr Balfour was only intended aa a hoax. March 81. At a Unionist Liberal banquet held in .London last night, the Marquis of Salisbury delivered a speech in which he declared Mr Gladstone's support of Mr Parnell bad further divided the Liberal party. The Found Table conference bad, be stated 1 , been without result, and had been adjourned for an indefinite period. The Unionist Liberals would continue to support the Government wbil° they upheld (he law in Ire* iuftdt

THE SITUATION IN EUROPE. London, March 29. Affairs in Bulgaria are approaching a crisis, and a coup is daily expected. Many rumors are current as to the form it will take. After the deposition of Prince Alexander, while be was at Reni under the charge of his kidnappers, he stated that he was without money, and prevailed on his captors to lend him five thousand francs to enable him to proceed to Darmstadt. Prince Alexander afterwards declined to refund the money, and tbe lenders are now suing for the amount. March 80. M. de Giers is vainly trying to prevent the expression of hostility to Germany by the Moscow Gazette, in which M. Katkoff continues to fulminate against that countrj, Bulgarian refugees at Rmi anil Odessa threaten to make a descent on Varna and Gonrgas, where the fidelity of the minor officers of the national troops is suspected. Austria has declined to guarantee Ronmania against violation of her territory by Russia.

Sofia, March 30.

The Regents, doubting the loyalty of officers of the Bulgarian army, and fearing possib'e contingencies, have despatched M. Sboiloff on a mission to the Great Powers. M. Shoiloff, who was one ot the former Bulgarian delegation, has now arrived at Vienna,