The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-05-15
pOWERLEss TO RESIST INVASION.
EneIand's Navy Weak and Her Army
Widely Scattered.
General WoIseIey Declares the coun-
try at the Mercy
Of an Invading Force of One Hun
dred Thousand Soldiers.

LONDON, May 14.-The House Of Lords
this afternoon was crowded with people who
desired to hear Lord Wolseley's defence.
Mr.. Gladstone, Lord Stanhope, Lord Church
i'll, Viscount Cronburne, and other members
of the House of Commons crowded the steps
of the throne Upon the appearance OF
Lord Salisbury, Gen. Wolsely asked leave to
make a personal explanation in reference to
Salisbury's complaint Of his attacking the
government, He could not see how an un-
prejudiced person could construe his remarks
as an attack upon the government. He
felt that he could NOT honestly assail the
government for negligence toward the army
and navy. In the position he occupied in
the administration of the army, he could not
fail to be fully aware of what Lord Stanhope
had done and was doing to render the army
efficient. He felt deeply the necessity of
keeping the forces efficient, and was con-
vinced that more might be done than had yet
been accomplished He admitted that the
present government had done much toward
improving the military defenses.
In the speech referred to, he said no more
than he did in evidence before the commits
sioner of inquiry ond still adhered to that
evidence, WOIu lUE WOIQ. Ilt 0dU uOtUl0R
whatever to withdraw, as long as the navy
was as weak as it was now and while the
army could not hold its own, dispersed as it
was all over the world. The defenses at
home and abroad were in bad condition and
the military forces were not organized as
they should be. He did not guarantee even
the safety of the capital. He did not want
to create panic, but maintained that the
condition of the country was such that IL a
force of 100000 men succeeded In effecting
-.ad lwr AA.m1 lA1 4ln~s
was no reason why they might not take pos
session Of the country. He made this state
ment with full appreciation of his respon-
sibility. He had been tempted to resign on
Saturday, after reading what Lord Salisbury
had said. The House could not take the ini-
tatiye in the matter but he placed himself in
the hands of the Premier He did not in
tend to cast slur upon the government and
had endeavored to the best of his ability to
serve his sovereign and his country.
TCheersl
Lord Salisbury said his structures upon
Lord Wolsely's statement at recent dinner
were fully warranted. AT the same time he
accepted Lord Wolsely's disavowal of any
intention to attack the government He only
hoped that If Lord Wolseley had occasion to
assail the administration in future he
anS MUaid trusted SG that IN Lord ns wolseey Sdss
would not take the matter too seriously. He
should regret the Generals leaving the, SER
the military administration. Lord Wolse--
ley's statement regarding the weakness Of
the countries defences would be seriously
inquired into In the meantime he depreca-
ted the practice OF officers speaking over the
heads of the government and thus destroying
ministerial authority and shattering the ad-
ministrative machinery.
At crowded meeting of citizens today.
resolutions were adopted urging the govern
ment, without delay TO deal effectively with
the national defences. A mass meeting was
arr anged for June 5.
Foreign Notes.
The Brazilian Senate passed the bill abol-
ishing slavery, which was passed by the
Chamber Of Deputies last week.
The London press, commenting upon the
International Copyright, express the fear
that English authors will take advantage of
1t to contract with American publishers and
issue editions of their works in both coun-
tries simultaneously.
1t is believed that the Pope will not insist
upon a collective adhesion of the Irish Bish-
cps to the rescript unless symptoms Of resis-
tance arise.
Emperor Frederick walked around his
room yesterday, and transacted official busi-
ness.
Twenty-Five Croften families sailed from
StOrnoway yesterday for Manitoba, the
pipers playing dierges as they embarked.
Professor Virchon examined Emperor
frederick yesterday, anu Sdlu nc cOulu nOt
define his disease.
The Russian Count Str0gonoff, his sister
and escort of II men have been captured In
Asia Mminor by Curd nomads who demand
an immense ransom.
A violent thunder storm did considerable
damage in the vicinity of Wilkesbarre, Pa,
yesterday. School children were injured in
panic caused by the storm and, at Mar
rays mine, boys at work in the shafts were
knocked down by the tightening.
fha rfx rxxrQC hfUh
yesterday that work was suspended in the
mills.