NEWS OF THE WEEK.
REUTER mentions a rumour prevalent at Constantinople that Lord Dufferin will succeed Lord Cowper as Lord-Lieu- tenant of Ireland. That would be an excellent selection, Lord Dufferin being, perhaps, the only Irish Peer thoroughly qualified for the work. Aided by a man like Mr. Shaw Lefevre, who is more devoted to agrarian reform than himself, and, seated in the Cabinet, he might be able to effect a thorough reform of the executive administration. In the event of any such change, we imagine there would be a reconstruction of the Cabinet, Mr. Childers taking the Exchequer, Lord Kimberley the War Office, and Mr. Forster the Colonies, probably with a peerage. As we have always said, we object to any change, as sure to increase the impression of weakness in Ireland, unless it is intended to bring an Irishman to the head of affairs. That, and that only, is worth the risk of being suspected of vacilla- tion, and the certainty of being accused of unfairness towards an able and devoted colleague.
