The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-17
GLADSTONE.
His Response to Disraeu the Position OF
EnEinnd-''Armed Neutrality aud the Duties
,c

HIS Response to DisraeIi on the PosttIoa OF
Ensinnd-''Armed Neutrality" aud the Duties
of Neutrais.
We published recently the speech of Mr. Dis
raei in the English Parliament on the condition
and prospects of the country in relation to the
present war. At subsequent session the Prime
Minister replied to the eX-Premier. The follow
ing is an abstract of Mr.. Gladstone's remarks:--
In the character OF mediator, when complaint
of France was made, we 80 far admitted the justice
of that complaint, although without ever admitting
that It woud have warranted In view resort to
arms that we thought for the sake of the peace of
Europe, and under all the circumstances OF the case,
that the nomination or the Prince OF H0henzollern
shc uld be withdrawn. For that purpose the British
Government interfered and my noble friend, aided
doubtless by similar efforts from other quarters was
successful in procuring that withdrawal And need
not say that it was q deep disappointment to US,
when after the nomination had been set before us
as the cause OF the existence OF danger, and that
cause so declared had disappeared from vew we
found the horizon was not clear We then endea-
vored to improve the position of matters between
those two great States by suggesting to France, who
had given us title to make such suggestion, that
she could not be justified in demanding from Prus-
sia an engagement which was to cover all the un-
seen contingencies OF the future with respect to the
throne OF Spain and the Prince OF Hohenzollern.
We represented to Prussia at the same time that 1t
was but Just that as the King had been associated
with the nomination so lie should responsibly and
vsiby associate himself with the Withdrawal. on
the side OF Prussia that purpose gained though,
perhaps, its first reception by Count Bismarck had
not been favorable. On the side OF France 1t
was put aside by the occurrence OF the incident
to which the right honorable gentleman has alluded
IN no uUDeCOmlDb anu lUHppHCdDie beTiuS-JHe l0Cl-
dent OF that supposed insult to the representative OF
France which, as far as we have since been in-
formed, appears to have vanished in thin air.
Hear, hear) We then, as a last attempt, made our
appeal to that protocol OF Paris, which we had
always thought remained as noble monument OF
some real advance in civilization, as an acknow-
ledgment of a public authority IN Chrstendom,
which was to be entitled to exercise control over
the passions, the caprices-nay over the strongest
convictions even that might be entertained by parti-
cular States. That appeal declined by France
as unsuitable to the case It was received by Prus-
qi wit 1QpiarQfiOn Franco
initiative in the war, and that under such circum-
stances twas impossible for Prussia to take the nita
tive in recommending mediation. So we arrived at
the outbreak Of war, and the right honorable gentle
man now asks us what is our position in respect to
that war. Our position Is, as he has truly said, that
OF neutral. shall presently alude to the phrase
that he used when he said that ought to observe
an armed neutrality. Clear, hear) AS far as know
the historic meaning OF that phrase, it is eminenty
unsuitable to the present circumstances. An armed
neutrality, If remember the instances to which the
phrase has been auth OritatiGely applied imports
disposition OF mind very far, indeed, from that
which we hope we may still claim without reserve
an unequvocal frendliness to both paroles in this
unhappy contest. Qiear, hear.) 1 cannot admit
that an armed neutrality is a proper phrase, and
regret that it has fallen from the lips OF the
right honorable gentleman. l am sure that what
the right honorable gentleman means is that
we should discharge the duty OF neutrals, which
has no variety OF purpose whatever, and that
we should establish such a state OF things
that we shall be competent to fulfil whatever duties
may attach to u.s. Looking at the matter in that
point of view, we have considered the duties of
neuras, and we have done our best thus far to fulfil
them. Those, indeed, are not easy duties. They
duties which the most sanguine OF statesmen or
the most sanguine OF governments can hardly hope
to fulfil in such manner as not to give olense on
one side or the other and probably on both. We
had that misfortune in the of the great conflict
which devastated the continent OF North America.
II NAV he that we shall have to encounter it agaiu
but whatever care, diligence, patience and temper
do for the purpose OF avertng even the slightest
misunderstanding by means of an anxious discharge
according to the best OF our light and knowledge,
of every duty incumbent upon us, am quite sure
the country may anticipate with confidence from
my noble friend who holds the seals OF the Foreign
Oflce.
The right honorable gentleman has referred to the
publication this day week OF a document termed
hProject of Treaty Between France and Prussia. ="
That was document OF grave and serious charac-
ter, and we cannot conceal from ourselves that It
gave considerable shock to public confidence 1t
may be said that ought to feel indebted to those
who brought it to light: lHear, hear) We have
endeavored to take into view the whole OF the Cir
cumsances before us, up to the time of which now
speak, and we have also endeavored to adopt such
measures in relation to them as we think, on the
1dence and security which are so necessary to
the well-beng OF Europe outside the sphere Of
the charge which has been made by the right
honorable gentleman. The right honorable gentle
man puts many question in respect to the state OF
our establishments, and he likewise arraigns the
policy Of the Government. He thinks he has now
reached an occasion on which he has the right, and
considers it his duty, to charge us with having pur
sued policy OF reduction that has weakened the
defensive means of the country-(opposition cheers
and that we are now compelled to retrace oul
steps. (Renewed cheering.) meet the right honor.
able gentleman with emphatic a contradiction
(Mnsterial cheers)-as the forms OF Parliament will
permit to the assertion on which he POUNDS the
charge We refer with satisfaction to the reductions
that have been made; we are glad that We have
been able to essen the burdens OF the people
(hear, near, from below the gangway)-and we
are specially glad to have been able to afford thai
relief, because we contend, and we think we car
prove that in the midst OF all that relief and all thai
reduction there has been no diminution whatever
but. on the contrary there has been outstanding
and an increase OF our real domestic available force
BY comparison with our predecessors 1 think We
stand the test but admit that there Is higher
standard than such a comparison. The deepest re
sponsibility is imposed on those who at period like
this, are charged with the conduct OF affairs. He
Maestys government have maturely weighed wha
the country requires, and we now submit to Parlia
ment the result of our deliberations IN the belief tina
what ask is calculated to ft us for the discharge
OF our duty, to enable us to maintain such digni
fed and friendly position as will carry with il NJ
suspicion, and will not, under the idea OF securing
safety, introduce new elements OF danger and dis
turbaDce; to give us the best hope We can posses
| OF accomplishing that which is the object neares
our hearts-namely to maintain intact the characte
| and fame OF England while this unhappy war shal
! continue, and possibly at some blessed moment Il
be- either alone or along with others, the choseI
| bearers OF q message OF peace. (Cheers.)