New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-08-02
NEwYoRk DAILY TRIBUNE ssrwENrYTwo PAGES

is more significant still. He declared categoricaly
That he does not know what the treaties between
Germany, Austria and Italy NAV contain; he has
carcrully abstained from asking: hut he repeats
"ha' ne sald not long since that treaties by them
serves arc ''le IL is community of interests which
Is important. IL is that which will lead nations
10 acO 'egcoher, not because they have bound
themselves to each other By protocols lie makes
hght OF engagements arising out of signatures
upon piece OF paper. Then follows a declaration,
simple enough in terms, but memorable for what
underlies it:
For ourselves says the Prime Minister and
Foreign Minister of England, ave have simple
rule Our allies are all those who wish to main
tam territorial distribution 1t is without risk
ing the terrible arbitrament of war Our allies
are all those who desire peace and goodwill"
Mr. Lsboucherc has gone to Marienbad, and Mr.
Gladstone's doctor has forbidden him to use his
voice in public. l know not who is left in Eng
land to challenge this declaration. unless il be
Mr. Cremer, of the Peace Society, or Mr. Alpheus
Cleophas Morton, who drapes himself in Mr..
Labouchere's mantle There are challenges
enough elsewhere. Lord Salisbury's words are
a plain warning to France. They sound
almost like an echo of that too IA
nous exclamation which Mr.. Gladstone addressed
from Midlothian to Austria Hands OIL" Mr..
Gladstone, to whom exercises of humiliation seem
pleasing, whether in Southern Europe or Southern
Africa apoogized for this outburst Lord Sails
bury's is not an outburst; it insults nobody, re-
quires no apology, and will be followed by none.
There is not in all his speech single word of
which France can complain. None the less does
she it, and none the less does it pledge this
Government in the face of Europe TO the party of
the status quo. The goodwill of Eng
land goes out to the league Of peace, not TO the
coalition,-if coalition there be-whose aims can
only be comprised by war. If Alsace and Lor-
raine are to cease to be German, it will
not be by the help Of Great Britain. Let the
French feet come to Portsmouth and welcome, says
Lord Salisbury; I'VE shall see in that event a
renewed guarantee of peace among the nations"
Does he, anybody, see in the presence of the
French feet at Cronstadt any such guarantee?
Peace is note which is heard all through this
grafton; an optmist Grafton, if ever there were
one. Lord Salisbury is not daunted by the remi-
nscence of Lord IIamptOn's remark TO Lord Gran
vile in July. 1870. that he never knew a time
when there was less difficulty greater assurance
of peace in Europe. He dsregards the omen and
repeats the assurance. Lord Salisbury is capable
of taking views of foreign politics alike phllOsoph-
ical and practical. Admitting that the Eastern
question is not solved he predicts that it will be
solved ultimately by the development of civiliza-
ton and the growth Of elements of national
strength in Egypt and in Bulgaria.
Matters in North America look to HIM equally
promising. lie laughs at the lobster troubles and
the seal-ishins troubles II he does Tot laugh at
the cOnvulsion in Chill, he washes his hands Of all
responsibility. England regrets but will not in
teTfere, either 10 restore peace in Chill or sound
finance in Argentina. On neither of these sub
-, 10
gree disposed TO encroach on the functions Of
Providence And with that characteristic light
ness of touch he dismisses the subject.
G.. W. S.