New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-13
MR.. GLADSTONES TACTICS.

Mr. Gladstoue's management of the vote OF
credit has been 9droit. IL introduced 1t in
one of the most dignifed and eloquent speeches
ever heard in Parliament, conveying the I'M
Dression that war was inevitable. but that the
Government we're determined that Russia
should bear the blood Outlines of disturbing
Enropean peace So ogermasering was the
Influence of this speech that partisanship was
disArmed and no reply was made from the
Opposition benches, although the Prime Min
lister himself had challenged controversy by his
pointed references to the vote of credit in
1873 Before the financial proposals could be
read second time the county had not only
received positive assurances OF peace. but also
intimatiOns that Mr.. Gladstone In his noble
speech had really intended to open the way Tor
a calm aud dispassi0nate discussion OF the con-
cessions to be made to Russia, Thls sulien
change Of front, the erroneous impression pro-
duced by the Prime Minister'S eloquence, and
the unpopularity Of the arbitration scheme gave
the Opposition an opportunity t. rally their
forces on the second reading. Rarely has any
Government been assliled with more m'rcle's
criticism or more ferocious denunciation and
the Ministers before meeting the attack were
forced TO announce the Abandonment OF the
Kbartoum expedition aud the disastrous COL
lapse of their .Soudan policy. Me-. Gladstone 5
tIct was equal to the occasion. by withholding
definite information OF the negotiations
b ,tween England and Russia he placed the
Opposition at the serious disadvantage OF seek
ing to condemn the Government In the dark.
At the same time by promising speedy publ
cation of all the papers in tho case ana by
giving vague but decidedly favorable intlma-
tons of the general results secured by
diplomicy, he commanded the unbroken
support of the Liberals. The amendmen,
involving censu-e of the Government was
defeated by M ljority of thirty strict party
vote. tho Irish members acting with the Oppo-
sition.
The Conservatives in this debate seem to
have demonstrated anew their political inca
pacity and lack of organization. Lord George
| Hamilton began by warning the Commons
that no reliance was to be placed upon Russian
pledges and by asserting that ornament peace
could not be secured without war. Lord Ran
dolph Churchill ended by declaring that thu
| Opposition were not advocating war; Dut were
! simply planning the overthrow OF ali incapable
Ministry. One committed the Opposition to an
aggressive foreign policy warlike In It's ten
denotes the other dsclaimed those tendencies
and midway in the debate came maladrolt 81
Stafford Northcote with assurances that all tn
Conservatives desired was a distinct frontle
arrangement with the Ameer and clear treaty
with Russia defining the points beyond whcl
an advance would be regarded as a cause OF war
This want of accord among the Opposition
leaders enabled Mr.. Gladstone to array on
speech against another and not only to con
eratulate Sir Stafford Northcote upon repudiat
inc the grounds of the motion adopted by hi
party, but also to affirm that the frontie
desired by him had been secured through diplo
matte arran gements that were entirely salts
factory to the Ameer The Prime Minister
this way obtained full vote from the Libera
side and easily repulsed the ConseIvatlv
| assault.