NEWS OF TIIE WEEK.
THE question of the hour is whether the new Administra- tion is to have Lord Hartington for its head or Lord Salisbury, or whether both will yield precedence to a nominal chief, who may be the Duke of Richmond or the Duke of Argyll. The rumours are conflicting ; but it is evident that the general with, not only of all Unionists, but of most Conservatives, is for Lord Harlington as Premier, Mr. Goschen as Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Lord Salisbury as Foreign Secretary. It is reported that Lord Salisbury consents to this combination ; and in Thursday's Standard a correspondent, signing himself "A.," who writes with authority, and is possibly Lord Ashbourne, affirms that the "wish of Lord Salisbury to act in concert with the Marquis of Hartington, based upon considerations of the public weal, is of older date than the offer made by the Conserva- tive chief at the close of last year to serve under Lord Hartington as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs ; that this desire, for precisely the same public and patriotic reasons, still subsists in all its force ; and that it will be frustrated, if frustrated it be, only by Lord Harlington himself regarding the difficulties in the way of its fulfilment as insurmountable." This statement leaves the whole responsibility of refusal with Lord Hartington, and Unionists can only hope that he may see his way to accept the headship of an Administration which would be the strongest of recent years, and might, if circumstances were moderately favourable, endure till 1892. The country is pining for strong moderation at the head of affairs.
