New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-11
BRITISH AFFAIRS.

SIR H. JAMES ON THE TURKISH QUESTION.
THE WINGS SHOWING HOSTILITY TO Mr.. GLAD
STONES POICY-IMPoRTANT CHANGE IN TIE
TRANSATLANTIC MAIL SERVICE.
lFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT THE rRrBUSE-l
LONDON, Oct. 2S.-In the speech of Sir Henry
James at Taunton two evenings ago have the
first Official opposition criticism of the hate develop
ments Of the Governments Eastern policy. Sir
Henry James very properly resens the notion that
the danger of impending war. which even now is by
means past, is attributable solely to the utter
ances of Liberal statesmen and he claimed that the
recent strong expressions Of public opinion,
if they had not directed Lord Beaconsfelds
cabinet into the right path, had at all events
diverted il from wrong one. The whole action Of
the British Government, up to tl,s most recent pc
riod, had in his view, tended to prevent any amelio-
ration Of the condition of Turkish Christians, and
indeed was the cause of the imminent peril Of war
But the speech was interesting only as sharp and
able criticism Of the past policy of the Government,
dwelling on the details of a whole year. He was
all but silent TO the future. He did not embrace
more than barely refer TO his late chiefs Eastern
scheme, and spoke of Lord Derby as too late. He
takes rather judicial view of the situation, and
bames, or implies blame, upon the extremes on both
Sides He said he could imagine no course more
destructive Of the hopes of peace than for men enter
tanning different views to declare that in no case
will we go to war; the other hand TO order that
we will not allow Russia to go to Constantnople.
Allowance must be made for the fact that Sir Henry
James spoke with all the weight of official expert
ence and a full knowledge of the danger of saying
too much at a critical moment in international af-
fairs.
Meanwhile the aspcrity of feeling between the
Wings and Mr.. Gladstone continues TO show itself
more and more. We have had several rather nOta-
bic instances this week. First of all Earl Fitz-
william Liberal Yorkshire peer writes to Sheffield
paper that after speaking TO many leading members
of the Liberal party he has found one TO approve
the language used by Mr. Gladstone, which, in his
lorlshIp's opinion, has only served to miSead tho
Governments of other countries. He expresses
a truly PalmerStonian dread of the aggressive policy
of Austria which can only be checked by unanimity
in England and he asks the Sheffield editor TO mako
il clear that a vast and influential portion of the
Liberal party is prepared to lay aside all personal
and party feeling in this matter" Again, we have
a scion of the house of DeyOnshire, Lord George
Caycndsh, breaking out into sharp criticism
of Mr.. Gladstone and the bishops who have pleaded
the new crlsade-I suppose especially the Bishop Of
Manchcstcr-in a manner which is worthy of the
Premier himself Other instances of Wing criticism
could De quoied. These can only be explained by
one of two in.erenccs. Either the Wings love the
Turks or hate Mr.. Gladstone, or it is even possible
tcy may do both. While on the subject Of speeches
ought not to omit to say that the Home Secretary
delivered a ministerial manifesto nc Manchester on
Thrrs,lay. II was, however confined TO a defense
of the Government which was not remarkable for
either novelty or force Norcross is an admirable
domestic Minister, but he is ont Of his element and
perhaps of his depth when speaking on foreign
affairs.
The British postal authorities are going to take
advantage of the expiration Of their present con-
tracts for the conveyance of mails of the United
states 10 introduce the American system of sending
the mail by the iasteSt-Or, the Postal Secretarys
letter expresses il, "thc most cfticient-steamer
sailing eli the day on which it is dispatched. In
order to test their efficiency the Government require
the companies to send in at the commencement OK
each month list Of the ships and dates of sailing
for the month, accompanied by an authenticated
COPY If the ships log for the last three voyages
made by her from England. The Government will
pay at The rate of - pence or 81 cents per pound
Tor letters, and pence or cents per
pound for books, newspapers and the like
matter. The Cunard Company has announced its
willingness to accept the conditions but, on the
ground # the "Wcll-kuOwn character" of its ser
vice. refuses to submit the ships log. Ii also an
nounccs that il will change the sailing day of It's
steamer for Boston from Tuesday to Thursday. In
reply the Po,tmaStcr-Gcncml declines to give what
:, practically asked for by the Cunard Company-a
general acceptance of their steamers for carrying
the mails.
Sir. Gladstone is again coming into print. He IL
prrplliug an article Tor nest months tORcmp0@g
Le.i,ir ON Russian Policy aud Deeds in Iurkestan."
which will be- an examination of certain statements
protesting - be- based Oh Mr.. Schuylcrs WORKS. ana
5I so,ur of the differences drawn from them.