New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-27
PEACE OR WAR IN EUROPE.
WHAT ENGLISH STATESMEN THINK.
THE xpITOR OF THE PAIL MALL GAZETTE" IN
TERvIEws LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL,
LORD wOLsELxY AND CAR


LORD woLsELxY AND CAR
DINAL MANNING.
Paris, April 2s.-After MIR. Gladstone, the most
remarkable personality in English politics is Lord
Randolph Churchill He lives at 2 Connaught
Place, o pleasantly situated mansion close to the
marble arch through which access is gained to
Hyde Park the most fashionable OF the open
spaces Of London. He received me in snug
little room which was apparently Lady Randolph's
studio 1t was but few weeks since Lord
Randolph had returned from trip to Russia, IN
the course of which he had held more or less
colloauy with Prince Bismarck and the Gar l
found him full of confidence to the facility with
which q modus vivendi could be established be-
tween Russia and England in the East. When
was Indian Secretary he said, any attention was
necessarily directed to the state of the finances
Every administrative question is in the long run
o question Of money, and / found the Indian
exchcquer drained in order to provide Notifications
of the Northwestern frontier and garrisons, and
to man these Notifications. And it seemed to
me then, as it seems to me now, that the adoption
of q more reasonable policy in relation to Russia
and Europe would immensely reduce the STRAIN
upon our resources in India. Everything that
have seen and heard since then confirms me in my
belief"
II is only fair to Lord Randolph TO state the
fact that in the critical time when Lord Sails
bury with the active support of the Queen on one
end and the British consular representatives i'll
Bulgaria on the other, was actively pursuing
policy which would if persisted in have plunged
England into war with Russia for the sake OF
Prince Alexander Of Battenberg Lord Ran
dolph, who then in the Cabinet MADE d
vigorous and in the end successful fight against
the madcap policy of his chief His policy as he
then explained it in the Cabinet and as he subse-
ndedl WAS
let Russia do practically whatever she pleased In
Eastern Europe-so long as she did not absolutely
assail the Russian double-headed eagle on to Con-
stantinople on condition that she abstained from
Worrying us in Central Asia. Bulgaria according
to him. is no interest of ours. Russia has created
it, Russia can, if she peases, reduce 1t to the
position of a vassal State England would not
fire a shot or even move step TO prevent the
occupation of that principality But If single
Cossack crossed the Afghan frontier then war
should be waged against Russia with the whole
might Of the British Empire, all around the world.
He would give way in Europe when he had no
paramount interest the better TO oppose resolute
resistance in Central ASIA where our interests are
supreme.
As to the European outlook Lord Randolph was
not very assuring The feeling of luminosity be-
tween the Russians and the Germans he found to
be more than that between the French ana Ger
mans The Russian hates the German because
he is eaten up by the German eXploiteur The
German hates the Russian because ne regards MIN
as barbarian, of whom he, nevertheless, is AFRAID
Lord Randolph, who at one time lauded Prince
Bismarck as the supreme statesman, has learnt 10
moderate his enthusiasm as the result OF his two
visits to Berlin. The Iron Chancellor no longer
seems to him the keystone in the arch of European
peace He is, on the contrary, n dangerous and
disturbing clement who, before he dies, may not
improbaby employ his declining years in striking
one heavy blow which may disable one or both
of the great powers which menace the safety Of
the German Empire. The substitution of the dis
tinetly feeble alliance between Germany, Austria
and italy, for the league of peace between Russia
Germany and Austria, seemed to Lord Randolph
fraught with mischief, and he refused to believe
the protests recently made in Parliament had eX-
tracted from the Government an implied repudi-
alton Of all participation In hostile contention vi
the Russian Emperor Lord Randolph spoke with
appreciation and esteem His idea, he said, was
that Russia and England should be the great
neutral powers holding the balance and main
tanning the equilibrium of Europe, While person.
ally determined to remain at peace the Car, as
Lord Randolph told Prince Bismarck, would
neither give a challenge nor provoke a challenge
to Germany, but would certainly not decline a
challenge. As TO France Lord Randolph did not
anticipate that even if General Boulangcr came to
the top he would make war Certainly be would
not attack England No doubt our defensive
forces were badly organized, but the attempt Ia
seize London would be gamblers throw, which
would almost certainly fail and which if it ever
promised even momentary success would imme
diately bring the Germans down upon the French
rear.
Very different were the views expressed by
I plaa
hour in his sanctum at the War Office. The place
is perfect museum of weapons of all kinds
trophies of the sword and the spear Of Tommy
Atkins in all corners of the habitable globe, an(
IL was very odd to see the homely teaketle singing
on the hob in the midst Of all the spoils OF war
Lord Wolseley, only genera, as it is the ia hoI
to call him. is q bright, intelligent soldier, who
has had about as much all-arOund experience in
the field as any living man. He is a born warrior
and the son of warriors. His earliest recollectons
are military Ills mind was saturated in the love
of camps before he left the nursery, and he is now
the central mind in the British army. l found
him full of anxiety and of eager interest on the
affairs of Europe Russia and France u
become the two powers with whom sooner OF
later England will have to count lie is the most
thorough-going exponent of the doctrine of al
liances that have met He would have England
to bind herself to fight the battles of Germany
Austria and Italy, in return for an undertaking
for them to assist us in battles Russia il
his eyes is the great disturber Of
the peace of the world. But for tn,
Russian menace we could reduce one Indian
garrison by 10000 men. Let but the Russian
creep nearer our northwest frontier and we vii
have to increase the army by 90, 900 men. Blu
il Russia is the more permanent danger, Franc
is the more menacing. In a month or two !
seemed probable that England would pass through
a great invasion panic. How? Why and where
fore In this wise The French had arrived a
one of those periods in which they are accustomet
TO go mad They are dissatisfied discontented
They are chatting at their inaction; they win d'
as they have done before-fing themselves at tn
feet Of one man. At present. having no maj
available they are placing themselves in the hand
OF General Boulanger General BOulanger thci
win come to power president dictator or Caesar