Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-10
England and the War.

England and the war.
The remarks OF Mr. Gladstone in the
House of Commons upon his resolutions
in regard to the war. and the rejoindei
of the Hume Secretary. represent the
two prominent phases OF opinion IN Eng
Land upon the subject of the Russo-Turkish
war. Gladstone's arraignment of the
British government for its course thus fan
was as truthful as severe. His pre-
sentatiou OF England a becoming
them to prosecute the Christians OF the
Ottoman empire, as they were prosecuted
and outraged in the Bulgarian atrocities
accords with the facts. The cause,
said he, "of those who revolted against
their Turkish oppressors was one of the
nobest that ever animated human
breast
The reply of the Home Secretary in de-
fence of the government was but poor
apology for its course. The material in
terests of Great Britain seem to lie in the
direction of opposing the Russians, and to
that purpose the government is bent with
out regard to the inhuman, anii-chIistian
attitude which il will assume before the
impartial eye of the world. For this the
government equivocates, deceives and
shufiles, pretending TO be acting the part
of neutral while secretly encouraging
the Turk and preparing to enter The lists
against Russia.
At first public sentiment, aroused
by the pamphlet Of Gladstone on the Bull
garian horrors, was moved with indigna-
ton against the Turkish government, but
that is giving way before the selfish APP
peals for guarding British interests in In
dia. The war party is on the rise. Prep
arations for war are brisk, at is curious"
says one correspondent, That England
should betray so little outward excite
mant about the sangu'nary business as
that which crops out in the press and Par
lament. for at heart the nation is pro
foundry moved. Nothing but the war i.
enemies among us, the opponents oil
Russia not only outnumber them hun
dred fold, but they are bitter in their sar-
casms upon Russian professions of hu-
manity. Slowly but surely there is a
strong war feeling growing up among all
classes from John O'Groat's to Lands,
End. The time is not far distant when
the English guns will be laundering
against the Russian hosts. A few days
ago the Liberal Party in opposition were
called together to discuss what action they
should take in challenging the Government
upon its Eastern policy. 1t was a failure.
Only sixty members were present, and the
meeting broke up without coming to any
decision. The government invites inquiry
and asks for a vote, but Mr.. Gladstone
and his friends fear an enthusiastic out
break of national sentiment at ST. James,
and nothing would tend more to hasten
the action of England against Russia than
popular debate and an overpowering
only needs fiery and defiant Grafton in
Parliament, and an overwhelming declar-
alton of the House in support of the Gov
erpment, to launch England into the war
before the tardy Spring has developed into
Summer. Lord Beaconsfield has had
long interviews with the Queen. There
are frequent Cabinet councils. The dec
laration of war was received with cheers
by English troops at Aidershot. The
clothing and other manufacturing depart
ments have for months past been working
night and day. Thirty thousand saddles
have been made this year. Almost every
month there has been new war ship
laid down. Experiments with torpedoes
have daily varied the trials of guns and
armor plates. Straws on the stream are
these small indications of the current, but
they show the course and proclaim the
coming flood that will carry them out into
the sea where all the tributaries loose dcn-
tity and become one"
livery oaf the ProoapliltN Oh Eng,auu
engaging in the war increases. notwlh-
standing that she can only plead in de-
fence of such course, so shocking to the
moral and religious sense of enlightened
and christian nations, the pallry. misera-
BILE, selfish argument that she is afraid
her interests in India may be endan-
gered.
THO Debate on Glad stones Rnsn-