Omaha daily bee., 1888-03-09
THE WASTED SINEWS OF WAR
Lord Randolph Makes His Great
Speech In Parliament.
FLOOD OF LIGHT ON JoBsERY
W ithout Powder and without Means
of Transportation-Made Secre-
tary Stanhope Wince-A
Compromise in Sight.
A scathing Arraignment.

VI loDDy III tne uOuSe Ol CoululOns WcIc
in high state of excitement tonight. Every
body was wondering what was to be the re-
suit Of the military meeting against the gov
ernment. Whispers were circulate I'd by the
whips that If demand for royal commits
sion to inquire into the whole state OF the
army were pressed to division the ministry
would resign. 1t seemed inconceivable that
they would take this extreme course and the
threat Of resignation is now made SO fire.
quently and on such slight provocation that
1t may soon begin to lose its effect
The ministry will not act wisely in pressing
its followers 700 hard. 1t feels very conh-
dent and takes high handed course on all
occasions, but such policy cannot be pursued
through all vicissitudes Of the session with
out great danger. The military men were
not disposed to show the white flag at the
first summons. With the knowledge that
Lord Randolph was at their back they re-
fused to succumb either to the Establishments
or menaces of Smith. 1t was seen early in the
evening that the Parnellites were mustered
largely ready to drive the wedge in should the
opportunity occur. Still more ominous was it
that Gladstone was known to be holding a
meeting Of his ex-cabinet in private room
which is still reserved for his use. AS rule
ministers only are accorded this privilege, but
exceptional advantages are very properly
granted to Gladstone. Unless the crisis had
been grave this meeting of the late ministry
would not have been summoned. believe
the result Of it was that Gladstone decided to
hear Lord Randolph's speech before giving
any signal to his followers.
The house filled rapidly, as it always does
when Lord Randolph is to speak, for there
can be no question that he "draws" better
than anybody except the wonderful 'old
man. himself. The strangers and ladies'
galleries were packed. The peers gallery
was fall among the distinguished visitors
there being Lord Wolseley.
Lord Randolph rose amid dead silence
and began slowly and skillfully building up
| formidable indictment against the whole
| military system of this country. He
had brought together an immense
| body of facts, many of them
| of the most startling kind, all tending to
throw flood of light on the extravaganza,
| jobbery and middleton which prevail in the
| British war Office We have no means of
army transportation, no gunpowder for big
guns, only two army corps costing R7,000,000
each against cost of 81 ZOO, 900 for each of
| the nineteen army corps in Germany, and so
| on. These facts were laid before the house
in the most varied and attractive style,
interspersed with many flashes of
humor which caused hearty laughs
to run through the entire assembly. HIS
| picture of Labouchere as the Archbishop of
Canterbury, for which post he was quite as
competent as a civilian was to be at the head
OF the army, was received with universal
merriment For every great Office special
training was required except for that of sec
retary of war. All this part Of
the speech was immensely enjoyed
by Lord Wolseley and by everybody
except Secretary Stanhope who kept his face
carefully hidden from public view.
When Lord Randolph was evidently near
ing his preoration q curious stir and hustle
ran through the assembly and the ministers
were seen to be whispering eagerly to one
another. Lord Randolph could not but be
conscious of this movement although he was
at q loss to understand its cause. We who
were looking on could see Smith pass a
note over the table to Gladstone who
started up the moment he read it and
hurried out of the house. The words passed
from one to another "the German emperor is
dead" The report had been sent to the
leader of the house from the German en-
bassy. Smith turned to Lord Randolph and
told him briefly.
"Shal stop'" asked Randolph in q low
tone Smith shook his head and the orator
continued.
| But, although such an interruption would
have sent most mems peroration flying to the
Winds Lord Randolph contrived in spite oi
the difficulties to come to q vigorous conclu-
sion. He declared that he found last yeai
that he no longer defended a system unde,
1 IL
| squandered. 81 left that work." he said with
| bitter accent, ''to those who are better
qualified for it," and he pointed to the wal
secretary amid hearty laughter and the
cheers of the house. The poisoned arrow
was shot and it ranked in the wound
Secretary Stanhope in his reply showed
abundant signs Of irritation but the damaging
statements of Lord Randolph were practically
left unanswered. In fact we all know tina
that thereis no answer to them, for Stan
hope could only run off ON side issues ant
cover everything up with the usual officia
sheet of green baze. The indictment will
sink deep into the minds Of the people. Th'
} answer will be treated, a. ii was here to
} night, with mild contempt, but the ministry
control the London daily papers and will
doubtless cry ''All's we'll" and Down will
/ Randolph Churchill"
Meanwhile the mutineers were holding
further communication with Smith and
compromise was talked of. The disposition
to agree to one was increased by its becom
} ing known that the Gladstone party woulC
, not support demand for royal commits
: sion with sweeping powers in these matters
The ''outs" join with the Sins" to set up
barricade against ruthless innovation. The,
do not want to see system destroye
under which SO many fat picllings are re
served for officeholders and their friends o
the two front benches, therefore combine
with the government and offered to meet tn
mutineers half way. The latter jumped q
the proposal, and the debate from which .
: much was ut one time expected languidl
frizzled out.
|. Goschen's financial coupe of redu'
. ing the interest on the nations
y debt is the next great theme whic
g will be brought forward to-morro'
h rather prematurely in consequence of tn
n main outlines Of the scheme having airead
), leaked out. AS the secret is no longer s.
cret, thanks chiefly To your columns it ma