New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-07-25
made in the bow Of tho Brkbeck by tho collision. Both
boats were laid up for repairs.
WHY ENGLAND rs FIGHTING.
MR. GLADsToNE's SPEECH IN THE COMMONS AFTER
THE COMMANDMENT OF ALEXANDRIA.

MR. GLADsToNE's SPEECH IN THE COMMONS AFTER
THE COMMANDMENT OF ALEXANDRIA.
My friend says we have drifted into war in Egypt
as we drifted into wr in the Crimea. There is not
q more singular example on record OF the manner
in which q particular phrase obtains currency In
defiance OF facts than the constant and everyw here
established use Of the word -" drifting" What IL
the history of that word In reference TO the CriDean
War; Ii is simply this. that at the moment when
the war was on the point OF breaking out, when all
the whole policy Of the Government in its ondeavor
to prevent the war had failed Lord Clarendon was
asked think by Lord l.yndhurst in the House OF
Len ord or saa V
and all practical attempts for the maintenance OF
peace have ceased, aud are Mt this mOmept IL
may so say drifting into war;" That drifting into
war" was strictly confined to two.or three days
which interviewed between tho policy aiming at
peace and the policy which led to war; My hon:
friend SAYS arc drifting into war in Egypt bnt
nothing has happened in this matter except on the
fullest deliberaton. and on the full and exclusive
responsibility OF Her Maiesty's Government.
With regard to the original intervention in
Egypt that is not matter on which would enter
n this moment. 1t is not for me now to explain
how far the steps taken by Her Majesty's Govern
ment are linked III the chain which runs back 10
the period of the former Administration; but I'M
dOubtedly, if my hon. friend considers and he is
quite justified IN considering, me as most specially
responsible, in the Office | have the honor to hold.
for what has now taken place, ~ Is not because
am friendly on general principles to Intervention
such as has taken place III EBypO. TIC SeeHls W
think that | am general apostle of non,Interyen,
ton. DO not know why he has said so-he quoted
nothing OH the contrary, If he will rec0llect all my
objections to the conduct OF the late Governments
for certain time in the year 1876 and IN 1871 he
will find that they were expressly founded on the
charge that we had not had intervention enough.
change in events then took place; and as to my
opinion Intervention in Egypt, If my hon. TREND
will have the goodness to turn To speech made ny
ME in 1875, of which may hereafter have occasion
to remind the House more particularly, No Will
perceive how | plapted my foot at the very lrst
point with respect to Intervention IN Eg. pt ana
indicated the cunsc1 uences to which, III nv opinion,
II rn,"ht nTnbahIv Lead Uoweyerthat is by-matter
which touches myself. My hon. friend says we
are at war with Egypt. | do not admit that we are
we at wari | do not admit that we are at war
with anybody IA laugh. That Is the position |
hold. and the position which am prepared to de-
fend when the time arrives, not by laughter aud by
ieering which | think unsatisfactory method OF
defending grave propositions
The events which have happened are very grave.
| am not speaking in iagrant contradiction 10 Facts
of history or OF analogous cases occurring during
my own lifetime and within my own political
memory. My hon. friend perhaps recollects the
battle Of NavarinO. a remarkable event, which cost
some bOodshed. pat which perhaps was cheaper
exit from desperate struggle than could IN any
other way have been found ana wnch senIe N tne
rnO. in which the Turkish teet was destroyed by
the Joint action OF France. England and Russia, u
was not stated, nor was it tn" TACT that we were
at war with Turkey hear. Aoarl. 1t IS no snch
paradox as the hon. member for Cavan ana MS
trends who thought proper TO Jeer at me- perhaps
NAV suppose it to be and | recommend hn a niue
studv of the analogous cases which have occurred
IN the history OF International law before he gives
vent to what may call his nniutored feelings louu
laughier). My right non. friend lSir w, Harcourt
rem1nds me that the analogy went further than |
supposed at the moment, for Conference was
sitting at Constantinople when the Datue ol
NavarinO was taking place. go,
Nv hon friend ask what has become OF the Con-
cert of Europe. What has become Of the concert
of Europe is exactly what has become of the navi-
~ tI,a Supz Concert 7 Europe
is i'm force and we not aware That anything mas
been done to weaken 1t; We have not departed
from it and we do not know tDat anyone means s
TO depart from il. WeuO not know. and we nave not
the least reason suspect that anyone else snpposes
that We have departed or have done anytElng 10
impair If lcheeIs. The navigation OF the SueZ
Canal is where il was and the Concert OF Europe Is
where il WAS. far our Information goes at the
present time. My hon. friend says we nave gVeu
no distinct information as to what we are lighting
for. There is great difficulty III statlUg wlat we
are lighting tor hut he ~ inaccurate I'D stating
that we gave no distinct information Tor we nave
stated IN the most distinct ami categOrcai Ial-
Cuage that the safety and security Of Her Majesty
fleet in the barbor of Alexandra was menaced bv
continuous and deliberate course, denied nut sun
steadily pursued, and by fortIhcatOus when might
have arrived at point which wecOuld not llinit OF
define and which would have been one OF serious
danger. That was the Immediate oDlect OF t t
attack But If my hon. friend asks me whether the
act will have any other consequences; Will tel
him one consequence larger wider and more dlil-
cult to grasp and feel. | do not say that Tue III,
nortance of this con sequence would have justified
the act but 1t is the Importance OF when my
hon. friend Will not deny the gravity. Does my
hon friend bear in mind the massacre when
occu red ia Alexandra few weeks ag0I DOES
he bear in mind that the massacre REMAINS DOWN 10
the present moment, Wholly uneAanheu anu uI
ayenI ed Does he estimate the effect winch a
massacre of that kind unayenged aud uneXamined
ministerial cheers but sn Jlected to pretended
examination which was mOckery. q deluslon anu
a snarc-wuuld have mad upon the security nor
only Of all Englishmen, not only OF an
BRUSH subjects, Dut oil an LnioP can
he reflect with satisfaction on that, and can he
believe that his mode Of examining these great ana
difficult questions and computing tntlr colse
ouences-can he feel with great confluence that
HAT is the only lust and true model My hon.
fsend asks y hat we should have dOne Il tiie per-
man fleet had arrived in the Thames, and had made
certain demands with regard to the Government OF
This country for the dismissal OF my rlght non.
friend the Secretary Tor War. whom am glad not
90 see in his place. because he has tntS oeeh sparc
a shock to his feelings Ia laugh. lie ASKS WhaC
wonld have been the consequences II the German
fleet had made that demand for the dismissal OF the
Secretary of Stale for War; Will not undertake.
TO say what would have been the consequences; OUT
| will undertake to say what wonld not have Deen
the consequences. My right hon. friend the Secre-
tary for War woud not nave become nc , bs
OF the country, ard would not have taken lheo hs
virtual custody and possession the person OF der
Majesty daughter and cheers 1870. A..
The time has not arrived, and TINS Is hoI tne
moment when il would be right to attempt Tue
discussion of so important matter as Tue event
of yesterday. | may say. WITHOUT qio..ng any
ontbortv that a private telegram has Just arrived,
and il probably within the know edge OF some or
those nom am addressing, stating that, at nall
mast I today, AleXandrian time, which is Two
hours earlier than ours, a flag OF truce was sent
from The city and was on its way to the tieet. On
that | do not dwell because i have II" power OF
/ ruarante Going the accuracy OF that intelligence;
INT there is one point mentioned by my hon. friend
/ which must notice. He said, first, we have over
ruled the people OF Egypt; ana secondly We were
/ houtd 10 effect wholesale massacre of the people
| OF Egypt. The bOmbardment OF the Publications
| connected with great town IS undoubtedly "A
! serious misfortune In this point Of 1t is an
| act unite Impossible to be absolutely certain that
at no point may damage be done TO the town itself
/ | am quite sure that both the humanity and the
! SKILL of the commander OF our fleet would reduce
| any risk Of that kind to minimum tcheersl but