NEWS OF THE WEEK.
T4ONDON has been excited all the week by a rumour that Mr. Chamberlain and Mr..Trevelyan have placed their resignations in Mr. Gladstone's hands. Having heard the Premier's scheme for the expropriation of Irish land- lords, by means of a loan variously estimated at from £120,000,000 to £150,000,000, and for entrusting Ireland to a new body, sitting in Dublin, they have, it is stated, found themselves unable to support it. Negotiations have been going on, but up to Friday evening they were without effect, and it is understood that the resignations are practically complete, though they cannot take effect for some days. If they did, the retiring Ministers would be obliged to give explanations, which would force the Premier into a premature discussion of his plans. There seems, however, no hope of compromise, which we are glad of, as a plan based on a compromise would neither content the Irish nor restore the authority of the United Kingdom. We have discussed the subject sufficiently elsewhere, and need here only express our surprise that Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Trevelyan ever accepted office in this Ministry. They must have known that Mr. Gladstone contemplated the measures which are now in outline before the Cabinet, and they can hardly have hoped upon a subject so important radi- cally to modify his views. No other Cabinet Ministers are as yet reported ready to secede; but two or three subordinate Members of the Government will, it is believed, retire after Mr. Gladstone's speech revealing his design. Till then they can have no official knowledge of it. The date for this speech is still unsettled, and there is a rumour of farther postpone- ments.
