New-York tribune., 1878-02-15

words, objected, but nobody pretends to dispute
that there was q concerted scheme to break up the
Liberal meeting called in the Cannon Street Hotel,
or that Liberals distinguished as Mr. Samuel Nor
ley had to fly before the mob. In Mr. Trevelyans
words, private rooms were entered and sacked as
if they had been Bulgarian villages.
Making due allowance for secret plots and open
violence it must still be said that the Turkish party
has succeeded in producing a greater impression of
popular strength than during any previous period Of
the agitation. They have had more of their own
way. both in the country and in the Cabinet, and it
is ON the whole desirable they should have. As
their confidence grows their true coOrs are palmer
shown We are in the midst OF great debate, be-
gun on the eve Of peace with the demand OF the
Government for war vote; and never before have
Ministers IN the House of Commons disclosed so
much suspicion and anmosty toward Russia. They
are ut odds or almost every disputed point they
cannot agree why the vote is asked for, nor what
they will do with the money when they get II ;
but they are at one IN their hatred to the great
Power which has freed their felOw-Chrstians from
Turkish rule. The only Tory speaker who has
dis0wHed all sympathy with the Turk was that
recst of frce-lances, Sir Robert Peel. Mr. Goschen
pnintcd ont that his declaration against aid 10 the
coliapsing Empire Of The Pashas did not ehcir IT,, a
speech Of the Home Secretary was illed with ac.
cusaflons aud nIuondoes, with suggestions OF
fraudulent diplomacy anu underhanh deal!ng oy
| RUSSIA, and every point he made reused his sup
poTtcrs 70 enthusiasm. Yet Ministers continue 10
proclaim themselves animated by the most sincere
desire FOR peace. and Russia Is still the friendly
ally OF the Queens speech
When the debate bean, no armistico lad Deen
srncd and all sorts Of minors have been set atoat
and Sepl aGoa 20 account for the Russan-of course
il va, the Russ.an-dclay Last night the Gov
crnmcnt were compelled 10 announce that they had
heard from the Turkish Ambassador in Lon
don mot from Mr. Layard in Constantinoplel,
that il was TO be signed on Thursday.
Their scarcely disguised reluctance to credit the
news reveals the fresh difficulty it puts in the way
of justifyng their demand for money. Ii must be
said also that they are oyematched IN the Com
mons. Mr.. Forster, Mr.. Bright Mr.. Love- and Mr.
Goschen are all formidable debaters. and have all
spoken There has been nobody to answer them
but Mr. Cross-an able minister but not winning
sreaker-and such third-rate officials Lord San
don. Mr.. Bourkc and the new Colonial Secretary
| Sir Michael Hicks-Boach. Mr. Forster had been Sc
| ected by the Liberal leaders to move the amend
ment against tie vote of credit not, as was
| hastily cOnjectured by the Torres, because
| Lord Harrington disked the task, but
| because Lord Harrington wished to close
the debate in behalf of the Lberalshis proper posi-
ton and function Ii suited Mr.. Cross, who fol
lowed. to style Mr.. Forsters speech vague and
ambiguous. but it was nothing OF the kind; III was
| ~
| the Ministerial demands: Of lis utter unllkeDess 10
| the voto in 1870, asked for by Mr. Gladstone,
| which IS invoked rs precedent; OF the absurdlty
| of saving that England could not obtain due con-
sllrra tiun for her demands IN congress, unless SIX
millions of money Were put INTO the hands OF Mlnls-
ters be spent at their discretion MrCroSs perhaps
disclosed the real feeling of the Government by his
rciteration of the cry "Thc Russians are still adj
vancing" Lord Bcaconseld cannot get II out OF his
mind that Prince GOrtschakoit is bent on " humlli-
| alton" of England. The withdrawal OF the clause
about the Straits the pledge not TO 90 to Gapoli.
the pledge not to hold COnstantln0ple permanently,
if occupied at ALL the agreement To discuss all Euro
pean questions with the European Powers. the sign
| ing Of the armistce itself, seem to the Prime Minis
| they seem to him so many more dliicultes In the
| way of his one sincere and unyleldlng purpose 10
| embrOil his country with the Power that mas
| yanquished Turkey Mr. Cross's solemn affirmation
that peace is the thing desired may express his per-
| sonal WISHES; but Minister who talks about the
lying spirit Of his opponents speeches can hard-
Is complain if they fail TO give full credit 10 his own
| assurances. II you want to be beheyed, SAID Mt
| Love- blunty, muzzle your Prime Minister" Mt.
GOschcn told Mr.. Cross that a more offensive ana
less parliamentary phrase than his has seldom Deen
uttered. But suppose the extreme bitterness OF the
language and tone the part oi Ministers indicates
the collapse of their policy. and something may DC
parlOned 10 the evaporation OF disappointment; ;
They will get their vote of confidence, no Doubt ana
by a great majority. The Irish Home RULERS Dy
way of proving their fitness for public atairs nave
resolved to abstain from voting either way, ana
this must reduce the Liberal minority. Some OF
the Radcals-Mr. Cowen, for eXample-wllI also ap-
stain, or perhaps vote with the Government; but
if the debate ends as it has begun, the intellectual
victory will be with the Opposition the numerical
only with the Government. q. W. g