NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE week has been marked by a succession of rumours as to dissensions in the Cabinet. It was stated at first that Lord Hartington bad threatened to resign, then that Mr. Bright bad resigned, and then that Mr. Bright and Mr. Chamberlain in- tended resignation. The subject of difference was, of course, coercion in Ireland. None of the reports were well founded, but it appears to be true that discussions, amounting to dissensions, have arisen on the subject of coercion ; the Whigs, partly supported by Mr. Forster, holding that reform would be made easier by a previous suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act ; and the Radicals, supported by Mr. Gladstone, maintaining that, although stronger laws may be required, the suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act before the Government proposal is made public would be either wrong, or inopportune. We need not say how strongly we adhere to the latter view. We believe, as we explain elsewhere, that the discussion either has produced or will produce practical agree- ment, and that the next Session will be called for the first week of January, when complete measures for the reform of Irish grievances and for strengthening the law will be submitted -together. That is a course which the country will approve, more especially if it prevents what would have been a great misfortune,a serious difference in the Cabinet. Secession we do not fear, all parties alike being aware that the Government not only desires, but intends peace in Ireland, and expects to produce peace by enforcing the law and remedying admitted -evils. If, however, any such event occurred, the seceders of either side and their followers would speedily discover that, for the present, the constituencies intend Mr. Gladstone to govern England.
