, 1879-08-04

one hand mud China on tho other.
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BRAC0NsF1ELDs POLICY.
II the results of tho Znlu wnr-wl,icl,, by
tho recent victory of tho British troops in
South Africa. now Bcoms near its closo--cau
in amy way 10 represented aa advantageous
to British intoressB, it is probable that Lord
BEAcoHsr1EIp will dissolve Parliament nnl
seek by now election an increased majority
in tile House Of Commons. This majority
would bo IN approval OF the policy innug1-
rated by him, and 1t would, Of course, 1cnd
to his continuance Ia office for longer
period than seems probable with hia present
diminished majority. It has been alleged ty
Ills perty frionls that ho should havo pur~
sued this course immediately on tho close of
tho Berlin Conference, and Tint in not doing
SO he committed n grave political mistake
At that time but little financial dis.
irsss Ind bcpn felt. Mems minds
had boon fascinated with tho brilliant
part taken by England, through his Ill
plomacy, in tho atfairs Of Europe at Berlin.
All wcro too much grnti1od md relieved by
his having obtained, as lie stated, "poace
with honor" to weigh tho responsibilities or
consider tho now obligations which, by his
action, had boen incurred. The puoplo Of
England had cause to fcAr that tho settle
mont Of tho Eastern question would force
thom into rutno1ls war with Russia, md.
when it was ascortaincd tint Lord BEAcoss-
FIELDS action at Berlin Ind not only pre-
yontod hostilitics, but that ho Ind succeeded
In restoring English prestige in the aGairs
Of Europe, tl,oro WIS soarcoly any measure
10 his popularity. Had Parliament been dis
solved at A'at time aud now election
oraetod, 1t is probable that tho Conservative
party would hayo met with overwhelming
success, aud that Lord DEAcoNsr1HLps .ma-
jority In the new Parliament would have far
e1ceeaed. .thdt with which ho became Primo
Minister.
Tho present Parliament commenced its
sessions in March. 1874, with Conservative
majority of over 900 At that timo tho
party was united, we'll disciplined, md all
seemed to indicate that its hold of power
would be prolonged. It had been tho policy
Of tho Liberals under bIr. GLADSTONE to
Withdraw from all attempts at foreign inter
ference, and 10 devote their whole energies
to tho wo1faro md development Of internal
interests. In their judgment, tho other
countries of Europe Ind, in most casca,
reached too advanced stngo Of mator;al
prosperity, and competition with them for
business 4uccess was too close to permit of
Englanas wasting her energy and means In
their affairs, MS had been formerly Lor crs-
tom. Tho Administration Of AIr. G1Ap-
sTosE hal been successful, hut It was too
matter-of.fact to. crafty. british pside. Tia
foreign policy was such TINT other nntious
ceased 10 rogard England's wishes, or to pay
that attention to her demands which,
hnd formerly been habftual with them.
The country was rich anl prosperous at
home, but this very prosperity, which was
believed 10 DO fixed mud permanent, l.ad be-
como monotonous, aud the Conservative
party can'e into power by IN overwhelming
vote, pledged TO regain tho Influence abroad
which had been loa. uuder Liberal rule,
Sinco its advent to power, thu DEAcoss-
FIELD Government has devoted 1uost OF its at-
tdut!on to foreign affairs. In fact, since tho
conclusion Of tllu Berlin traaty, tho carrying
out Of Its provisions and tho wars In At
ghanistan aud Houti Africa, which in tho
opinion Of most Euglishneu wero wholly un-
necessary, appear to have occupied tho Gil.
tire attention Of tho British Cabinet, to tho
exclusion Of every domestic interest. While
the Government could not have wholly prc-
vented tho distross which exists throughout
Groat Britain, yet 1t could, without doubt,
by proper foresight md due precaution,
havo materially loasened it, II instead Of
wasting tho moaus OF tho country In gaining
n scientific frontier for 1udla, or In ac-
qairlng worthless country In South At
rica,-for this roaily will bo tho
ouIy result Of the wur with CgrKw.Yo,-if
the mombers Of tho Government Ind oxer-
c!sed proper care ovor the donestic interests
Of thoir own country, instead Of wholly
absorbing themselves with tho decropit and
rotton anairs Of Turkey, there tan scarcely
be doubt that large portion Of the dis.
treas now existing would haye boon avoided.
For some time grave apprehenslons ~ to
tue result Of Lord DEAcoAsY1E1ns policy has
boen felt, and the large Conservative 1aatori.
w with which ho entered oflea IN 1874 has
materially diminished. Tho Jingo cry
against Hi. GLADSTONE has ceased, and wo
again hear him spoken OF Az QUO Of England's
wisest. statesmen. The stern logic Of facta
has proved the correctness Of hiy views: that
IN this age OF business competition England
can afford to waste no timo nor menus In tho
aaatra Of other nationa. It IL an oyldcnt
fact TINT tho tlmo is past whom England'A