New-York tribune., 1880-02-15

lBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUSE.l
LONDON Saturday, Feb. ii, 1880
II ;s generally believed that the Government con-
.,,,,o,ss assuming protectorate over Persia, and
eAectne with her the joint occupation of Herat'
The qualified denias of Lord beaeohsneiu
strepgthen the conviction. The Ministers IN ooth
bouses decline to say that the possession OF Herat
not included in the arrangement Continentai jour
nails confidently affirm that the terms OF treaty De-
tween England and Persia are substantially ar
ranged. They amount to an offensive and defensive
alliance. The Russian bugbear is made 10 90 ou'S
once more as a pretext for these fresh entangl'ng
enpapements aud enormous Responsibilities Inc
Liberal leaders are undetermined what line TO
adopt but sober of both parties are alarneo aV
these additional Imperial burdens and consider tne
,roect the most serious news since the Turkish
convention, it being perfectly calculated to lnname
the Jingo spirit, captvate the masses, provoke Rus
sian susceptibilties increase the difficulty OF with
drawing from Afghanistan, and pledge England to
a policy of perpetual aggression in Central Asia.
Nobody in Parliament thinks it worth while to
denonnce the fagrant immortality of transferring
Persia, who hates the Heratese and is hated IN
,nrn bv them. Evidently Parliament and the
country will be refused an opportunity to express
an opinion till the treaty is accomplished Lord
Beaconsfeld. having affirmed on Tuesday that there
10 no foundation whatever for the statements now
admits that negotiations are proceeding.
GOVERNMENT VICTORY
The Tory success in Southwark occurs oppor-
timely. strengthening as it does thd Governments
hands for further aggressons. The Tory victory
was anticipated the Liberals persisted In run
ming two candidates .but they are chagrined at find
;,o that the Tory is chosen by clear majority over
both The elation to-day of the Tory clubs exceeds
the iubilation over the Liverpool victory and is
perfectly justified An eminent Liberal says that
# Iiverpool was a disappointment. Southwark Is
a disgrace.
Government officials already hnt at an immedi-
ate dissolution saying that there Is proof abundant
that the Administration can now carry the country
especialy with the help of more gunpowder ana
glory business +" in Asia. The Liberal victory at
Barustaple on Thursday is hardly noticed, the
q
though the Tories confidently expected to win.
Local influences, the support of the publcans, the
,ort;ngmen,s dissensions and the personal inferi-
orty of the Liberal candidates contributed to tile
disaster at Southwark; but the most cautious OF the
advanced Liberals are disposed to admit that the
country is momentarIy intoxicated by the glitter of
Lord Beaconsfeld's successes, and admit also that
if there were q dissolution now Tory majority
would be returned. They believe that the Minis
ters are considering the expediency of dissoving
Parliament before introducing the Budget II never
saw the depression more complete.
BRINGING ROBERTS TO ACCOUNT.
ccue,oi Roberts,s letterdenying the Afghan hang
i,rs read before the House yesterday. satisfies no
body except those who were satisfied before. IL
refutes minutely the least damaging accusations
and abounds in general denials of cruelty. but 1t
fails TO meet the specific accusations contained IN
tbc detailed accounts of correspondents from his
own camp, some of which were apparently not
brought TO General RObertss attention at the date
of his letter Sir Charles Dixie Immediately re-
peated his demand for detailed statement respect
ing the alleged one hundred executions. The lead
ing Liberal papers in London and the provinces de-
cline to accept General Robertss vague declarations
and insist that full inquiry is imperavelv neces-
sarv General Roberts's assertion that correspon-
dents were allowed to accompany the army without
restrictions is contradicted by the previous admls
s;ons of the Secretary for War. though Colonel
Stanley attempts to throw the responsibility of the
;nfamous press regulations on the Indian Govern
ment.
MR. RUSSELL MAKES GOOD HIS CHARGES
William Howard Russells letter reaflirming his
charges of gross misconduct and insubordination
on the part Of the troops at the Cape has occasoned
souestion IN Parliament, but it has elected no
official information. Nobody doubts that Mr.. Rus
sell is able TO prove his case. His letter points out
that his sources Of information mostly British
officers themselves, complaining of mutiny, drunk
enness, violence and attacks towns. The off,
GERS lives were endangered. Mr.. Russell acquits
General Woselev of the responsibility, but convicts
Lord Chelmsford.
DEAN STANLEY OBDURATE.
Remonstrances and memorials. both public and
private. against placing the Napoleon monument in
Westminster Abbey continue to pour in from dis
tingushed men Of all parties The announcement
that it is the rrevocabe determination of the Dear
to admit the statue has elected public accusation
chat no had given pledge to that effect to tn,