Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-07-07
THE NEW PREMIER.

Yesterday afternoon Lord Salisbury
stated in the House of Lords that ht
would continue the policy adopted by the
Gladstone Ministry concerning negotia
tons with Russia about the Afghan
question. His lordship has acted wisely
in coming to this decision, and it is well
that he has. 1t would be most difficult
to see how he could arrive at any other
decision, unless his desire were to
throw his Government into wa,
with Russia, war in which
her greatest gains would be but pre-
vention of losses. England cannot hope,
even remotely, to assume protectorate
over Afghanistan, and were she to do so
rash thing, she would but make foes
and Russian sympathizers of the Afghans.
Already their memory of England's inter-
ference with their internal affairs is en-
bittered by two wars and many unjust
and humiliating acts. If the Afghans
lean to England rather than to Russia,
it is not that they love England more, but
that they love Russia less.
The new Premier showed himself a
man of much broader view than has
been his custom heretofore when he said
that the business of the Government now
was not to comment on the past, but to
try and bring the policy of their prede-
cessors in regard to the gravest matter
with which they had to deal to a success
full issue and one consistent with the pub
lie interest. However much one may
sympathize with the Liberals and deplore
the advent to power of the Tories, it must
be said concerning the utterances of Lord
Salisbury about his predecessors policy,
that they bear the stamp of man who
has sunk party for country and the ring Of
a true patriot. They also show that
his lordship recognizes the truth that
the foreign complications in which coun-
tries sometimes become involved are
often beyond the immediate control of
parties no matter what their politics. He
finds himself surrounded with difficulties
Of all sorts, and not being certain of sup
port in all his measures, having come to
office under very peculiar circumstances,
Feels that he must be moderate and look
the situation calmly in the face. His
dilemma may prove to be his greatest aid
and raise him to the rank of statesman
from that of leader. His views
on the Egyptian question must COM
mend his sense and moderation
70 all, including those to whom he
vas SO lately so bitterly op-
posed. None of Mr. Gladstone's admirers
;an speak with any pride or exultation
the escapade in Egypt. The
commandment of Alexandria and the be-
lavior of the British soldiers at Tel-el-
<ebir were brilliant things, and that is
heir chief merit. MASKING the Mahdi
nd the expedition to the Soudan were not
o brilliant nor SO justifiable as could be
Wished. On the condition of Egypt and
he policy of the Government there, the
'remier expressed himself in the follow
lg words:
Gone principle must animate us, namely:
o so weigh our steps that when once taken
e must not retrace them. The military
ifficulty is large one, the political diff
llty greater one"
Very true words, and ones that show
lat Lord Salisbury realizes now far better
ian when in opposition the difficulties of
ealing with country that numerous ma
ons hold to be common heritage for
termeddling. May his actions prove as
ise as were his words of yesterday.