New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-11-24
ENGLIND'S POLICY IN THE WAR.

DEFINITE STATEMENTS OF THE POSITION or TIE
BRITISH GOVERNMENT -SPEECliES by TIE
LORD CHANCELLOR, MIR. GLADSTONE, AND
EARL GRANVILLE.
At tho banquet given on the accession OF tho
Lord Mayor Of London, Nov o. speeches were made by
members the Cabinet and others respecting the course
nj the British Government In tho and the lessons
which are provided by the experiences Of the beigcr
ents as well as regarding the general policy OF tho
nation The main features OF these speeches nave been
tceraphed by Cable and placed before our readers but
more definite notion OF the sentiments OF these states
men and OF British policy in the war may be obtained
from the following extracts. Mr. Cardwell said:
Parliament had last session sanctioned measure for
force by the introduction OF shorter service
That measure was received N so9 wn ne, ~
how perfect soldier may become without ceashg 10 DO
an Industrious citizen engaged for the most part In the
ordinary occupations OF clNli no.
The Lord Chancellor. after reviewing with expressions
OF satisfaction Engands conduct neutral, made the
following declaration:
We can sympathzc with every effort for the autonomy
OF nations We sympathize with all who are stand
Ing on the defensive, when they in and SUI
fering We can sympathzc with those who require In
demnty for injuries they have suffered at the hands OF
another nation and who require security for the future
but cannot sympahze with those who may entertain
either side the other. views OF aggression Ideas
simply OF military glory, apart from the Idea Of happiness
and prosperity with which all efforts alter military
Should defend Itself We can we'll understand but with
policy of aggression for one never did ard never will
ca can be well undcrstood by ali the world to
what extent England Ia willing to give her
most deeply to the German nation which has shown
herself capable of the highest exerton In rayersng the
In the matter OF education which has followed in
markable extent our own policy OF free radel should
paes 20 Of mankind But must admit speaking only
my own views and in no degree representing the Gov
eminent in what say, that have observed an indca-
ton, especially the German press, not altogether of
the most satisfactory character and especially have
has than boon directed against us, to the effect
that shop-keepng nation Let me ask what 1t
tie as tho commercial spirit" 1t is the idea Of mill
tary glory. Well, do not hesitate to say that If any
to the gores and the peaceful trumphs Of industry.
which involved in shopkeepng that country has not
yet found the true basis of national greatness and ma
tional felicity
Mr. Gladstone also spoke in defense Of Englands per-
Torrance Of her duties of neutral, and enlarged upon
the destructive character Of the present conflict Ho
said:
We see war; which, In tho coolest impartality OF de-
scripioD must be pronounced to be unexamped; which
i'm the course OF three short months has expended more
endon even in times of tie direst CONFUSION aud
luton, Las ever before witnessed; which has EXPENDED
Mace: and which has presented To view military
catasrOphes of character 30 far rnscendng ali former
example that mystery surrounds them winch none nave
There ia portion OF the duties OF nentrals which is
less defined and positive than the observance
Of certain obligations OF international law but Mncn
is not less important refer to that when impos 8
either OF abatng or bringing to their erminaon the ire
mendous evils of such war as TINS. ~ VIII 10 lod one
you and think 10 satisfy you, that III tlls respect we
obligations Of friendly powers toward both beiScrens
will only say that hSR To mot %9 of for an peats
which shall be in its character sound and
lust: for a peace which shall meet the fair AMI
% the stronger in the present contest and which was
at the beginning OF that cones the power that was az,
a the aSE RfS esSSs Of @ gallant nation
mas most So Of 1fnf %oS that
founded principles agreeable TO the Ideas OF MOI
Character fa not Of II hollow psing temporary arrange
mcnt. bnt, being in conformity with the convictions o
future tranquility of Europe, and the stability OF that
| peace which will then be brought about.
Earl Granville spoke Of the patriotism and unanimy
of Parliament and denied that stronger expressions on
the part of the English Government could in the first in
stance have ayerted the present He remarked that
| at that time
Parliament felt with the Government thai bad not
sufficient cause risk this country being involved In this
great calamitous war, which not or our seekiuga
which we tried to prevention the small aId slender
and Germany, whether rightly or wrongly, said and be-
leyed, later, inevitably wOu!d occur. But
IL unable IN prevent the outbreak of war we re
solved that least would endeavOr to localize IT ~
much possible, and not to allow the extension OF 1t ON
one side or the other, which might possibly involve
! struggle. Up 10 this time have the sat
taken place Another thing we wished do was avoid
making idle and unacceptable proposition, which
could only weaken our influence II was perfectly ron
sisent with that policy that should look with the
greatest anxiety for the opportunity Of doing ANYTHING
which might he effective. Ii in this spirit that the
Government rejoced when Her Majesty the Queen de-
sired friend to friend In spirit perfectly under
stood by the King OF Prussia 10 make an appeal 10 his
sentiments OF moderation and humanity In The same
way when il seemed likely that both Count Bsmarc;
and Jules Fvre would not he willing TO meet for hc
pose OF considering whether peace were possible We re-
nded that to both those statesmen ana
contributed to certain degree TO bring that inter
view, although unfortunately the result was not sue
At later period another phase of the war occurred
which thought we could not pass over ia silence A
circular written with great with fearful power by
Count Bismarck describing, In the name of Germany,
the horrors that might arise from siege, bombarne
felt that could not remain silent appeal which
specially addressed TO the Leutr OF
step took, should not have found all the neutral
powers ready toj0n with or to suggest any possible
terms of peace II we hadhOught Ii ourselves cNpedent
TO do so; but what did learn, and that from the high
est possible authority was his-that the rrussan Gov
eminent themselves were inclined 10 accept an rnisce
which should lead to convOcaton OF the Constituent
Assembly of France and TO future negotiations for
selves to the French Government, ard although the
any demand for armsticc they expressed To ~
their Willingness we made snGh proposal 70 contu
should do 30 in the way which We nd learned from
Tours would DC acceptable and to which the French
Government would De most likely to acccde namely, by
urging that NJ Theirs should be admitted 10 an inter
view with Count Bismarck and that the terms OF the
arnistce should argued alone without any reference
the Of the subsequent peace, which were 10 be
left consideration of the future .Ons; uent Assem-
bly,. We took that course. We for some time were not
without bopes--although fully Of III" difficulties
OF the stuatiOn-we were not without hopes that we
might succeed. We thought the attitude OF this country
did not unfit US for making such a representation
Under these circumstances we made the proposition
and ID accepted far the meeting concerned
We have learned this that long and frequent interviews
have taken place between the parties. We Thought Il
absolutely duty Ia refrain from making suggestions
to the condition OF the armiStice. How could We, how
could any OF the neutral countries, for were sup
ported by every neutral country In Europe In the EN-
deAXOr we ere mAkLng-hOM was Do p-s.lbe Tor them