Evening News
London, U.K.
5 September 1888
THE HOME OFFICE AND SCOTLAND
YARD.
WHY MR. MONRO RESIGNED.
The Central News is in a position to furnish the following additional particulars respecting the state of affairs at Scotland-yard; Friction between the Home Secretary and Sir Charles Warren commenced about the time of the Trafalgar-square disturbance, the immediate cause being that Mr. Matthews showed favour to the Receiver of the Metropolitan District, against whom the Chief Commissioner had brought charges of disregarding police regulations and giving orders to superintendents without consulting his official superiors. Sir Charles Warren protested against the course pursued by the Secretary of State, and finally threatened to resign, a threat which was repeated later on. It became necessary at length to bring the matter under the notice of the Cabinet, and Mr. W.H. Smith and Mr. Goschen were deputed by their colleagues to bring about a settlement of the points in dispute. Early in May, Mr. Smith, Mr. Goschen, Mr. Matthews, and Sir Charles Warren met in Downing-street, and as the result of a conference, which lasted nearly all the afternoon, the Chief Commissioner was adjudged to have made out his case.
HOW THE DISPUTE AROSE.
The disputes between Sir Charles Warren and Mr. Monro arose out of representations made by the latter respecting the numerical weakness of the staff of the Criminal Investigation Department, coupled with a request for the appointment of an assistant chief-constable and a few additional subordinate officers. Sir Charles Warren was not at first inclined to accede to Mr. Monro's request, but ultimately, taking into account the fact that Chief-constable Williamson was at the moment absent through illness, he agreed to the appointment of an assistant chief-constable. A gentleman of large Indian experience was recommended for the post, with the acquiescence of the Chief Commissioner, and the recommendation was formally made to the Secretary of State. But before the appointment had been actually made, Sir Charles Warren withdrew his recommendations, on the ground that circumstances had come to his knowledge which made it undesirable that the gentleman in question should be appointed. The appointment was never made, and the question of creating the new post remains in abeyance. This did not improve the relations between Sir Charles Warren and Mr. Monro. Matters reached a crisis early in July, when the Chief Commissioner had a lengthy interview with the Secretary of State, at which it was decided that Mr. Monro should immediately take leave of absence, with a view to his subsequent resignation. Nothing of an authoritative character has yet transpired as to the intentions of the Government in regard to Sir Charles Warren, and the officials at the Home Office and at Scotland-yard have been warned against giving information to the Press. Sir Charles Warren, who has been taking a very quiet holiday in the South of France, returns to Scotland-yard within the next few days.
SIR CHARLES WARREN.
The Manchester Evening News says no official confirmation can be obtained as to the resignation of Sir Charles Warren. Amongst persons suggested in the clubs as his successor is Lieut.-Colonel Pearson, C.B.
THE WHITECHAPEL MURDER.
THE POLICE HAVE SOME CLUE.
From inquiries made at a late hour last night, says the Press Association, it has been ascertained that no arrests have been effected in connection with this mystery, but there are reasons to believe that the detectives are possessed of information which may very shortly lead to the arrest of the perpetrators. Inspector Abberline, of Scotland yard; Inspector Helson, of the J division, and other officers who are investigating the case were engaged until long after midnight in prosecuting their inquiries, but of course the result is a secret only known to themselves. There are numerous persons being watched, but they will not be arrested unless they attempt to escape. It is stated that it is probable that one man, not directly implicated in the crime, but who is cognizant of the circumstances, may make a confession. Whether there is any foundation for these assertions remains to be seen, but at present the authorities absolutely refuse to contradict or confirm them.
