The Coercion Act had evidently failed to produce the results expected. Nevertheless, Forster and Lord Cowper could think of nothing but more coercion. Gladstone refused to accede to their proposals. He had never liked coercion himself, and his hands were strengthened by the support of Chamberlain in the Cabinet, who was energetically backed in the press by John Morley, then editing the _Pall Mall Gazette_. Meanwhile Parnell, realising that his prolonged detention at Kilmainham was damaging his cause, entered into negotiations with the Government by means of Captain O'Shea; and although Mr. Gladstone was, no doubt, literally truthful in denying the existence of any formal "treaty," an understanding was reached between the Government and the Irish leader. The main source of unrest and disorder in the country was, according to Parnell, the smaller tenants, some 100,000 in number, who were utterly unable to pay the arrears of rent due from them, and were, in consequence, liable at any moment to eviction. The Government must deal in a generous and statesmanlike way with the lot of these unhappy people. Parnell, if free to resume an effective leadership, would be able to do much to curb the criminal forces set in motion by the secret societies. {174} On May 2, Parnell and his companions were released from Kilmainham, and Forster and Lord Cowper at once resigned. Forster made his statement in the House on May 4. It was to the effect that the state of the country did not justify the release of Parnell without a new Coercion Act. Just as he had uttered the following words, "There are two warrants which I signed in regard to the member for the City of Cork--" Parnell entered the House. It was a dramatic scene. Deafening cheers broke from the Irish benches, drowning Forster's voice and preventing the conclusion of the sentence from being heard. Parnell quickly surveyed the situation, and, bowing to the Speaker, passed "with head erect and measured tread to his place, the victor of the House." Mr. Gladstone answered Forster, saying that the circumstances which had warranted Parnell's arrest no longer existed, and that "he had an assurance that if the Government dealt with the arrears question, the three members released would range themselves on the side of law and order." Parnell then intervened, saying that he had in no way suggested any bargain with the Prime Minister, but that there could be no doubt that a settlement of the arrears question would have an enormous effect in the restoration of law and order, and would take away the last excuse for outrage.