New-York tribune., 1879-01-01
THE BRITISH EMPIRE.

The British Parliament met January II, when
tbe Russian troops were descending flom The Balkan
| There were dissensions III the Cabinet. Lord Car
narvOn resigned after steadily resisting efforts to
reverse the policy of neutrality. Lord Derby, who
had also presented his resignation. consented to re-
main the Cabinet vote OF credit for SO 900
| was proposed January 90, as n mode of indicating
! that the Government had the confidence of the
country. The debate began with Mr. Forstcr's
amendment that there was no reason for adding to
| the burdens of the people by voting unnecessary
| supplies. THIS was withdrawn whemlt was rnmOTcd
that the Russians were marching upon Constantine
pie, and feeble minority Of NJ voted against the
! Government Admiral HOnby with eight IrOn-clads
entered the Darlaneies February !. and anchored
near Constmtinoplc. Lord Derby resigned, ostensi-
bly, because the reserves called out, but III re-
allty, as he explained months af'crward. because
he disscntcd from the decision of the Cabinet 10
seIze a naval station in the Eastern Mediterranean
By secret expedition from India without the con-
sent of the Sultan. His resignation caused wide
spread uncasness. An amendment in the House
was defeated by an overwhelming majority and
the reserves were called out Scarcely had Parlia-
mcut adjourned when 1t announced that 1000
Indian troops lad been ordered from Bombay 10
Malta The Introduction Of these troops drew at
tcutiOu to ,he military resources of Great Britain
and possibly had some effect in mOdcraiing the war
feeling in Russia. In the debates on the
movement Of this force and the treaty y-naking pre-
rogatIye the Liberal, sustained cra,ling defeats
During this exciting session lending August lG)
they were badly led, and utterly dcmOralzcd at
times as to be unable to hold together There was
comparatively little domestic legislation. the princi
pal measures being act relating to factories and
Workshops an act to prevent the spread OF con-
tagous diseases among cattle, and an Irish Inter
mediate Education act.
Lord Beaconsfcld's success is mainly due to his
recognition of of tie tendencies of the time
in England. Under Liberal rule the energies OF
the Government had been concentrated upon inter
nal measures. The policy of neutrality had been
worn thrcadbare, and the mass Of the popula-
tion were ashamed of it. The Premier made
a show of fighting and advertised the resources Of
the Empire very cOnspicu0usly; and after carrying
OF! the points of honor in the preliminary negOtia-
tons, oXtiicatcd himself from what many of his
supporter, regarded "a hnmlatiug defeat by
bringing to Light the Anglo-rurkISh Convention.
He had restored the influence Of the Nation IN Euro
pcan council. aud that enough iOr the Con-
Servatiycs Without stopping To find out whether
Cyprus was worth what It might eventually cost,
they welcomed hun as national hero. The Pre-
micr and Lord Salisbury were received IN Dover AMI
London with an outbur,t of popular enthusiasm.
Mr. Gladstone denounced the Convention as an
insane covenant. but the frenzy ran on, and
Lord Bcaconsiied reveleh in popular applause.
This enthusiasm has cooled off somewhat, but 1t Is
still evident that ho has the country behind hlin.
Cyprus the government Of which was assumed By
Sir Garnet Wolselcy July 22D, has turned ont to be
worthless possession and the people begin 10 realize
how enormous are the risks taken i'll the East: but
they are also conscious of having played n snowy
part in Europe, and not ready to have the cur
tain rung down.