New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-28
VOTING THE WAR CREDIT.
THE PREMIER cHEERED IN THE COMMONS.


o,. Anr;l o7-Mr. Gladstone, in the House
<fCommons this afternoon, read q telegram oa,cu
sotnrdav last. from Sir Peter Lumsden, the chieI
Of tbo british section of tho Afghan Boundary CON-
,n;ss,oD The telegram stated that Mr.. Stephen
,nemher of the Commission had started for LONDON
hearing with him maps of the disputed zone, aiso
detailed statement of all the circumstances ieaoing
nm to and attending the PenJceh anar'
The telegram also stated tnat Oh
Peter Lumsden would himself forward u
Earl Granville statement showing the actuai
position of affairs as they now stand. Inc Uo'-
eminent members in the House of Commons re-
ceiyed this news of the departure OF Mr. etephen
for London with evident satisfaction.
Mr. Ritchie, Conservative, asked IL the uo'ern-
ment proposed to suspend the negotiations now III
progress with Russia until after the alriVa oi MI
Stephen.
Mr. Gladstone arose and mace rcpiy WIN niA
and dignifed % no."
The Premier, bringing up the subject OF the vote
of credit of $50 900, 900 asked for by the Govern
ment on the Army and Navy account, SAID he
bopod that the motion to divide the credit would
not he pressed The Government, he said. would
not devote any portion of the money votedfor
particular purposes for use IN the Soudah' Dut
would reserve the discretion to apply the money
taken for the Soudan account for the purposes OF
special preparations. He urged that the House
vote the Government the entire $55,OOO,OOO en-
bloc.
The nroposal TO separate the Soudan credit from
the credit for special preparations was reJecte9
by a vote OF 229 against 1885, The House entered
into Committee of Supply, and Mr GLADSTONE pro Pro
ceeded to explain the object OF tho vote Oh credit
Mr. Edward Temperly GOurley, Radical member
for Sunderland, asked whether the Oovernment
would endeavor to have the dispute witn u. husSla
referred for arbitrament to the United States OF
America
Mr. Gladstone remarked: "The Government are
quite sensible OF their heavy to main
tam the honor and good faith OF the country on
the one hand and on the other TO use every means
consistent with that honor TO n AVOID fh1 war can
The utterance was accepted as slgnlhcant ana
was received with cries of Hear!" g iearl'
,ban Voted after one of the most powerful and tell
ing speeches ever delivered by Mr. Gladstone. Inc
Premier was cheered to the echo Dotn 9urlue @ sne
eiso most enthusiastically cheered when leaving
the House of Commons after the speech
WHAT THE PREMIER SAID
In moving the vote of credit. Mr.. Gladstone said
that the Government consider it necessary to have
the entire resources of the Empire well in hand for
use and application wherever they may be required.
Events since the fall of KhartOum have shown that
El Mahdis power has collapsed. Englands pos
session of KhartOum woull not put stop to the
slave trade, and therefore it would be useless to
to the alleged smalness of the special vote, he re-
minded the House that it is the largest that has
been asked since the Crimean war, and Is also
coincdent with large increases in the annual army
and navy votes Furthermore, the case relates
primarily to India In order fully to appreciate the
amount cntaed II is requisite TO know the extent OF
the measures being taken in India The case Is not
one of war actual or perhaps prOximate. lie did
not feel called upon 10 denne the degree OF DANGER
but he would say in regard to the sad contingency
OF an outbreak of or rupture OF relations with
Russia that Her Maiesty's Government had striyen
t. conduct the diplomatic controversy III such
way that IF it .unhappiy ended III violent
rupture. they might at least be able to challenge
the verdict of Civilized mankind whether or not
thoy had done all that men could do and had used
every Just and honorable effort to prevent the
plungng of two such countries into bloodshed and
despair. lClieeTs.
The question before the committee was simple
and even q narrow although important ono The
negotiations continue, but 10 give Parliament
partial information only would mislead them. The
Government submitted its case upon facts with
which the whole world Is acquainted. There exists
abundant cause for the war preparations winch are
being carried lCheors.l The starting point
was the obligation to the Ameer, which should be
fulfilled in no stinted manner Loud cheers. The
covenant with Russia of March 10 was one which
England hoped and believed would be recognized
as one of the most sacred ever made between two
great Nations, and ii any deviation occurred there
should be jealous rivalry between the two Nations
10 sif to the bottom all that remained IN SUSPENSE
A bloody engagement occurred on March 80, show
ing that one or both failed to fulfil the covenant
England considered il the duty of both countries TO
ascertain how the calamity occurred. lie would
NOT anticipate that the British were right. lie felt
perfect confidence in the British officers, but he
would not assume that they might not have been
msled. He would not say That the UOVernment
possessed all the facts in the case They possessed
facts which created an impression adverse to some
oil those formed by the other party to the coyenan
but they would not devlate from the strctost
principles of justice by anticipating any thing OF the
ultimate issue of the fair inquiry they are desirous
of prosecuting. The cause of the collision Is per
haps doubtful. but it is certain that the Russians
were the attacking party, and that the Afghans
suffered in life, spirit and reputc. Knowing that
blow has been struck at the credit and authority OF
our ally We are unable TO close the book and to say
will not look into 1t any more. We must do our
best TO have right done in the matter. Therefore
there is a cause for war preparations.
lie hoped that the House would not delay ITS
assent, which would only tend to propagate there
decision in the mind of Parliament; whereas, he be-
licved that Ole heart and single purpose animated
them. He believed that, while reservng absolute
liberty to judge the conduct OF the Government and
70 visit them with its consequences. they would go
torward.to meet the demand of justice and the call
OIL honor and only subject to justice and honor to
lapor lot the purposes Of peace.
AT the conclusion of the speech. the delivery of
which occupied one hour. the House biokc out in
loud and prolonged cheering Mr.. Gladstone was
listened to with deep attention and his words
created profound sensation.
The Conservatives had intended to move tle
adjournment of the debate but seeing the effect of
Mr.. Gladstone's speech they RETAINED Lord
Randolph Churchill On entering the House
later was surprised TO find that the vote of credit
had already been agreed to.
The opinion in the lobbies tonight is that Mr.
Gladstone's speech shows that war is inevitable.
The Post editorially says: "The fact that the
war credit was voted without any one yenturing
reply TO Mr. Gladstone is unprecedented IN this
or any other country. Mr.. Gladstones language Is
too significant to require comment The attack
upon Penjdeh must either be justified or atoned
fOrv
The telegraph cannot believe that such spectacle
as the decision Of the House will be lost upon
Russia. Such speeches that delivered by Mr.
Gladstone Iaise politics TO higher level.
The Standard Conseryatlve) in an editorial says
Mr. GIadstone's speech was wholly worthy of the
moro than he thought 1t well to say. The upshot
OF the hole In we fake IL that Russa declines To