The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-10-14 00:00:00

taking from day
'
result of approxima-
id

tlons-made trona their several points of view, and of abate-
ments from what each, it proceeding independently, might
desire. Such abatements may be in many cases admis-
sible, and even inevitable. But, in this stgte of things,
each nation is entitled to expect that its diplomacy shall
be the falahttil organ of its general convictions. Most of
all does it-possess this title where its constitution is based
upon sta principle of self-government both admitted and
familiar. At the present
.rimment, as respects most of the
Great Powers, there is no reason to doubt that the Cabinet
truly represents the prevailing sense of the people; But
It I ask what intention and what policy is the British
Government engaged in representing before the associated
Powers, lam lost in doubt and uncertainty as to the reply.
All that, with our limited knowledge, we can say is, that
it is in all likelihood something materially different from
the intention and policy so widely declared by the country.
For this national intention and policy are at variance with
the acts of the Government as declared in the parliamentary
papers and proceedings, are incessantly decried and de-
plored by their organs itnthe Press, and are met with un-
disguised aversion by the Prime Minister, with elaborate
counter-arguments by the Foreign Secretary.- What wr
have, therefore, to -fear Is that, at the European Counc
tables, the lustre, of Great Britain lying ii cue scale, her
weight and influence are cast into the other. It this be so
the sky is not clearing, but darkening. After disparaging
European concert for a twelvemonth the Government have,
within the last few weeks, begun to recommend it, and we
are told of the necessity of bringing into union the views of
all the Powers. When it was a question of favouring the
Turkish Government agabist its Christian subjects we
heard nothing of this necessity; pride was taken in our
sole action, and credit claimed for frustrating the plans of
others. Now that the strong resentment of the country
has made a continuance in this course impossible, a change
of form seems to be adopted without any change of atm,
and the views of the other Powers begin to be pleaded,
with a view to securing that the amount of good done to the
oppressed shall be as small as possible. The latest trans-
action appears to have been as follows :—The British Gevern-
merit, we are told, made certain preliminary proposals to the
other Cabinets One of them was for the establishment of
autonomy, or self-government, in Bosnia, Heizegovina, and
Bulgaria. Thit they themselves understood in one sense, and
others of the Powers, especially Russia, in another. There
was a novel kind of European oonosrt, which is based upon
the use of the same words, In. conflicting senses, and which
jest lasts until practical discussion begins. Bat either the
notion proved to be too refined for the Moslem under-
standing, or it aroused suspicion; and the proposals
were rejected. The rejection, however, was accom-
panied with a new issue of Turkish promises, en-
larged beyond all former issues; just as the quan-
tities of aegignats were increased, in the sti eat
French Revolution, in proportion as their value came nearer
and nearer to Zero. The 'autonomy 'of the present Minis-
ten is said to have meant some kind of parochial self-
government which, for the purposes this nation has in view,
would have been wholly worthless We ought, perhaps, to
feel thankful to the Porte for having thus brought about
the early busting of a bubble, which, but for its action,
might have danced for a few days longer in the sunlight-;
but which waa so bright in the eyes of Sir Stafford North-
cote that he bade Englishmen be proud of leading the
counsels of Europe, and which tempted Lord Derby testate
at the Foreign Office that probably the question of peace
would be settled in a few days. But the question has also a
domestic aspect, of serious and growing importance. The
Prime Minister, as reported in the journals, has admitted
that his views of Eastern polies, are not those of the people.
And the Foreign Minister says the Government have nothing
to retract or .to • regret Yet the Government will not, it
seems, by a.Dlssolution, allow the people an °parts:natty of
expressing their sentiments in an authentic manner. And on
this point they may fairly say, Why discard the existing Par-
liament, which has not been convicted of being out of har-
mony with the people? And the answer is a fair one, lilt be
followed by a prompt convocation of the Parliament. But it
is no fair answer: it is, on the contrary, more like a mockery
of the pantie U they appeal from a country which has spoken
to a Parliament which is not allowed to speak. Persistence
In a policy apparently condemned by the nation, and not
known or sustained by the Parliament, is a course at variance
with the spirit and practice of the Constitution, as well as
most disparaging, in the present instance, to the
honour and influence. .of Great Britain. If I am
told that there is no proof of such persistence,
I reply that the Government, being called upon to change
the principles on which it has acted, has no right to shroud
its course in silence, as it might rightly do if the question
were about the application of principles in themselves
approved to the shifting emergencies of the case. If they
desire to appease or satiaty the country let them give the
assurance that so far as depends upon them the- people of
Bosnia, Herzegovina, and Bulgaria shall be secured in the
management of their own affairs by institutions not depen-
dent for their continuance and efficacy on the caprice or
will of the Ottoman Government A declaration substan-
Ually to this effect though it would not 'cover the-entire sub-
ject, would, I am persuaded go Sr to put an end to contro-
versy at home. But failing any indication of this kind, and in
the face of so many indications to the contrary, the people of
this country can hardly be expected to desist from their efforts
and those will, I trust, be disappointed who perhaps, have
reckoned or are reckoning on wearing out their resolution by
the lapse of time. It seems to me that the convictions of the
nation ought to prevail against the views of the gentlemen
who form the Government. If the nation be of this opinion
the Constitution will supply adequate means for giving it
effect. It may be said that the language I have used condi-
tntes an attack upon the administration. As long as I was
able, and indeed hoping almost against hope, I, for one, have
clung to the desire that they might at length open their eyes
to the true merits of the case. My store of hope is at length
exhausted. If, altering their policy, they shall hereafter act
aright, I shall rejoice in it. But after all the declarations we
have heard, I cannot reasonably expect it. And .1 am aware of
no ground whatever formaking such a.view RBI entertain the
subject either of concealment or apology. It is a duty to
strengthen the hands of a Government when disposed to do
good; but I know of no duty to strengthen them for evil In
conclusion, I expect that our information as to the acts of
the Government is imperfect I have construed it to the
best of my ability. To no cue will it be a greater relief and
satisfaction than to me U we find that I am mistaken, and
that our Ministers are endeavouring to secure for the three
Provinces a real emancipation from a faithless ,and cruel
tyranny.

"I have the honour to remain, Sir, your very faithful ser-
vant, "W. E GLADsromr.."
Many of the passages in the above letter elicited
loud cheers from the meeting. While it FM being read
the two delegates from Bulgaria took their seats on
the platform, and were received with tumultuous
applause.

The Daily Telegraph publishes the following note, ,
dated Castle Howard, York, October 8, which it has '
received from Mr. Gladstone :
I read, in your leading article of yesterday, that "Mr.
Gladstone will have no more to do with public meetings" on
the Efultern Question. This assertion must have been made
inadvertently; at least I am aware of no authority for it. I
have declined, from the first, attendance at public meetings,
unless in case of a local or special connection with them;
and I shall simply continue to act as I have acted hitherto—
that is to say, to use earnestly and steadily any means at my
command, insignificant as they must be, in promoting the
desire of the nation for a real emancipation of Bulgaria,
Bosnia, and Herzegovina from a cruel and faithless tyranny,
and for jut dealing with Bervia and Montenegro in the
arrangement of the terms of peace.

f.r.
FEARFUL EXPLOSION IN INDIA.
Under dat e Oct 'B,-I'liA Times publishes the following, tent
by their Correspondent at Calcutta (by telegraph) :
The River Hooghly was the scene of a terrible acci-
dent on Wednesday. Last year the ship British
Viceroy sank at her moorings off the strand-road,
within 200 yards of the crowded streets in the busi-
ness quarter of the town. The wreck impeded the
navigation, and the Torpedo Commission under-
took to blow it up. Two fruitless attempts were
made on Monday. On Wednesday a torpedo boat,
containing I,ooolb. of gunpowder, was anchored on
the spot, preparing for a third attempt. Sergeant
Harrison, Royal Engineers, and thirteen natives were
on board. About two o'clock Harrison was seen
hammering a wooden plug with a fuse through it into an
iron cylinder containing 4001 b. of powder. Ire called
for some melted wax to make the plug watertight. A
native melted some wax in an iron ladle over a fire in
the jolly boat alongside, and handed the ladle to Ser-
geant Harrison, who twice again called for more. As
the ladle was being handed to him for the third time
an explosion occurred. No traces have been found of
Harrison and eight of the crew. Four others and some
persons in neighbouring boats and on shore were in-
jured, and one is since dead. Together with 2001 b. of
powder blown uninjured into the strand road, half a
human trunk was found, and a head in Hare•street.
Fragments of flesh and limbs and pieces of iron were scat-
tered along the strand. All the windows in the vicinity
were broken and some walls were cracked, but no
very serious damage was done to property. The
torpedo boat sank at once. Until it is raised it is
impossible to say whether the whole cargo of
powder in the hold exploded, but probably not, or
the damage would have been much more serious.
The total killed consists of Sergeant Harrison
and eight natives. There were twelve natives in-
jured one of whom has died in the hospital. The explo-
sion was heard all over Calcutta, and a thick volume of
smoke was seen from a long distance. The coroner's
inquest commences this week but it probably will
not elicit much information, as the only persons
who could explain the immediate cause of the ex-
plosion were killed. There was clear negligence some;
where,'but it seems strange that in a port where there
is a strict rule that ships shall not have more than five
pounds of powder on board, that a boat with I,ooolb.
should be allowed to lie amid shipping and close to the
shore. It is strange, too, that the charge of a boat
with such a freight should be left to one non-corn.
missioned officer and native Lascarr, and that a jolly.
boat with a fire on board should be kept alongside. All
these matters require explanation, and the public will
not be satisfied unless they are thoroughly sifted.