The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-05-15
ENGLAND AN EASY PREY.
LORD WOLSELEY REPLIES TO
PREMIER SALISBURY.

The Generals Reply More Like That
of an Humble Citizen than That of
a Bristling Soldier-Lord Salisbury
Sticks to His Ground with a Bold
Front.
LONDON, May 1.-The House of Lords
this evening was crowded with people who
desired to hear Lord Wolseley's defense
The peers and peeresses' galleries were
filed. Mr., Gladstone, Sir Stanhope, Lord
Churchill, Viscount Cranberne and other
members of the House of Commons crowded
the steps of the throne. Lord Wolseley,
who was seated on a cross bench, rose when
the Duke of Cambridge entered and shook
hands with him. Upon the appearance of
Lord Salisbury, Lord Wolseley asked leave
to make personal explanation with refer
ence to Lord Salisbury's complaint of his
attacking the government He could not see
how an unprejudiced person could construe
his remarks into an attack upon the gov
ernment He felt that he could not hol-
eStly assail the government for negligence
toward the army and navy. In the posi-
ton which he occupied in the administra-
ton of the army he could not be fully free
of what Sir Stanhope had done and was
doing to render the army efficient He felt
deeply the necessity of keeping the forces
efficient, and he was convinced that more
might be done than had yet been accom-
plished. He admitted that the present gov
eminent had done much toward improving
the military defences.
STICKS TO HIS SPEECH.
In the banquet speech referred to he said
no more than he did in his evidence before
the commission of inquiry. He still adhered
to that evidence, word for word, and had
nothing whatever to withdraw. As long
as the navy was as it was now the army
could not hold its own, dispersed as it was
| all over the world. The defences at home
and abroad were in bad condition, and the
! military forces were not organized as they
should be- they do not guarantee even the
safety of the capital. He did not want to
create panic, but he maintained that the
condition of the country was SUCH that if
! a force of 100000 men succeeded in
effecting a landing and were properly
handled, there was no reason why they
! might not take possession of the country.
| lie made this statement with full apprecia-
ton of his response bilities. He had been
| tempted to resign Saturday after reading
what Lord Salisbury had said. The House
could not take the initiative in the matter
but he placed himself in the hands of the
4
upon the government. He had endeavored,
to the best of his ability, to serve his SOW
ereign and his country.
SALISBURY STIFF.
Lord Salisbury held that his structures
upon Lord Wolseley's statement at the re-
cent dinner were fully warranted. At the
same time he accepted Lord Wolseley's
disavowal Of any intention to attack the
government He only hoped that if Lord
! Wolseley had occasion to assail the admin
| is ration in the future he would do so in the
| would not take the matter too seri-
on ly. He should regret the Gen
erals leaving the service as the great
est blow that could fall on the
military administration. Lord Wolseley's
| statement regarding the weakness of the
country's defense would be seriously in
| quired into. Meantime he deprecated the
practice of officers speaking over the heads
of the government, and thus destroying
ministerial authority and SCATTERING the
| administration MAGAZINE Hear, hear
The Duke of Cambridge said that every
now and then he and Lord Wolseley did
not agree, but they disagreed without quar-
reling. If these matters were to be dis
cussed in open house between the Com
mander in Chief and the Adjutant General,
it would be most detrimental to the interest
| OF Jne pubic SERVICES. lIl6bT, near.
At a crowded meeting of citizens in Lon
don to-day resolutions were adopted urg-
ing the government, without delay, to
deal effectively with the national defenses
A mass meeting was arranged for June 5.
A CONSERVATIVE ORGANS VIEW.
LONDON, May 10, 3 A. M.-The Times
says: Lord Wolseley's defense was manly
and straightforward. 1t will be generally
felt. If he had spoken at the dinner with
the same discretion and dignity, the painful
| incident might have been avoided"
The Standard says: Lord Wolseley's
facts are sufficient to cause very grave
anxiety. His statements. il true, are re-
proach TO a rich and powerful nation. The
| government cannot complain that this
| time they we're not advised Of the real stu
atom The Standard urges the govern
ment to make vigorous attempt TO hasten
the remaing stages Of the King Harmon
salary bill 1.-THE game" it says, twas
never worth the candle, but having gone so
| far it should be finished"