The New York herald., 1870-08-20


mined TO Fight for Belgium-Tho Cabinet
silent but Anxious-The People Suspicious
Of Secret Diplomacy y-The FIXTURE Premier Of
Britain.
LONDON. August 9. 1870.
The war, and the complications on the Continent
to which il Is giving rise. causing the very gravest
apprehensions among thoughtful men In England,
both inside and outside Of Parliament. Members
are questioning Minister'S In season and out Of
son, how 1t Is going to end; but Ministers them
selves are too much perplexed, and are as yet too
undecided to attempt any answer, satisfactory or
otherwise. Especially with respect to the English
policy in the event OF the neutrality OF Belgium being
violated has the government been interrogated: but
hitherto without success. Every attempt which
could be thought OF has been made, both In the
House OF Lords ami the House Of Commons, to get
Earl Granville and Mr.. Gladstone TO declare whether
they will or Will not send an expedition to Antwerp
In the event OF certain contingencies; but yet only
vague replies have beensreceived, such as that the
honor Of the country will be fully maintained
and all steps taken to do at the pro-
per moment what is becoming and digniied
Great uneasiness has been ated by this reserve
on the part OF tue Cabinet more especially as the
Parliament is on the eve OF proro9uing ana the
Ministry Will be lett free TO follow the dictates OF
their own will. unvexed and undisturbed by the in
great. That the country ITSELF or rather the major.
ity OF its people, In favor OF going to should
any provOcaton be received those who are close
observers OF political events entertain no doubt
That the Ministry would go to war under such cir
cumstances, however, is Just the thing which the
country would like to learn, but respecting which it
can at present obtain definite Information.
A large proportion of Parliamentary representa-
tives OF opinion that they would but the hesita-
tion OF Earl Granville in speaking out at the right
moment and In speaking out boldly, unre-
servedly and decisively, mas caused considerable
section, both OF members and OF the community
at large, to suspect that they mean peace
and that they will not scruple 10 throw
Belgium overheard altogether should her inde.
pendeace be violated. Color Is given TO this
supposlion by fact that the treaty OF 1915 which
Disraell has laid such stress on diplomatic doc
urnent, has been quite ignored and repndiated by
the government. They declare that since II was
| signed at Vienna the whole circumstances OF Eu
| rope have changed; that the boundaries OF her
| states have been rearranged that her balances OF
power have been altered and that the treaty is IN
fact dead letter. useless to found any future nego
| tlations upon and powerless as regards any diver
! sion In favor of Belgium Mr. Disraell and his fol
lowers are much wroth at this Interpretation Of the
treaty ana the reputation Of It's obligations; bu,
| Mr.. Gladstone is frm and has resolved TO abide by
his resolution with regard to 1t.
| On the other hand the radicals are in ecstaclei
at this emphatic declaration Of policy on the part
| the government with respect TO this particular
treaty and cherish hopes that the
| OF action may be pursued with respect to many
| Others They regard European treaties in the ap
stract as 30 many records OF diplomatic fnesse
good enough for state Of society In which Talley
rand the 0edu ade0t or statesman, but utterly
useless and vicious In an age which Is disposed 10
model It's diplomatic Arrangements upon the simple
and straightforward basis first inaugurated by the
| United States.
While however, this is the radical and democra-
tic view with respect TO the exploded treaties chat
| were drawn up during the feverish period that
followed the downfall OF Napoleon the Great, the
pudiaon on the part ofthe populace OF engagements
| which they CONSIDER to have expired has by no
means essened their desire to 60 to war with eth er
| OF the two belligerent Powers that may have the
audacity to violate the neutrality OF Belgium. Eng
lish passions easily stirred, and English pre-
JUDGES are al potent ever and the mere thought
OF Joining in the fierce strife which Is now desoatng
| the Continent is welcomed by them with almost
fierce enthusiasm. This being the mood OF the peo-
| pie some little dissatisfaction has been expressed
| that an explicit statement has not been made by
the government as to what are really their intentions
reason sne SSy h deSne has
| been given is very easily explained: but
SO far from allaying it has increased the
yet apparently resolved as to what course 1t would
be best to pursue. Mr.. Gladstone with all his great
gifts. his honesty, his supreme intellectual power,
his statesmanike sympathies. does not possess the
faculty OF making up his mind quickly and decisive
ly. He looks not only at all sides OF question so
| earnestly, but he is SO scrupulOusly careful in
weighing and estimating all that can be said either
In It's favor disfavOr that he cannot the spur
| OF the moment decsively decide what ought to be
done. This trait In his character, 1t Is shrewdly
pected has left him too much opento the arguments
| OF the peace party.
Following MS own instincts. and the traditions Of