17 APRIL 1886, Page 3

Our article on "Mr. Forster " last week has been

misunderstood as asserting that Mr. Forster's demand for a Crimes Act in 1882 was refused altogether by the Liberal Cabinet of that day. We read it simply, as asserting what is the truth, that Mr. Forster demanded the Crimes Act as a condition precedent both of the Arrears Act and of the release of the Irish prisoners in Kilmainham. It is quite true that the Cabinet had accepted the principle of a strong Crimes Act before Mr. Forster's resignation, but that they regarded other matters as even more urgent, till the great tragedy in Phoenix Park com- pelled them to give their first attention to a repressive measure. A measure deferred is very often a measure abandoned.