The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-04

LDhD SALIsBURY'S CHANGE OF Toni.
The speech which Lord Salisbury made
last Friday night upon Turkish and
Armenian affairs is I'm very different tone
and temper from the one with which he
electrified the world I'm November il
was confidently predicted from that one
that the day of Turkish misgoyernment
in Europe and Asia had come to an end,
and that we should soon see the Sultan
dethroned. and his dominions parcellcd
out amongst the powers OF Europe. which
would establish order and peace over the
great expanse Of territory where
such barbarous disorder has so
long prevailed. Lord salsbury's
tone in November was not only
confident ana firm; it was defiant. and
that of a man who felt himself master of
the situation, and who intended to have
his DEGREES carried out. whether those
working with him liked them or not.
But his speech on Friday had nothing
at all of that sort in it. 1t is con-
fession that he is powerless to act in
the premises; and that the disorders I'm
the Turkish dominions must cure them
selves or remain what they are.
The reasons ne gave for this new line
Of policy have force in them, beyond
doubt. To coerce the Sultan into estab-
fishing order I'm Armenia would undoubt-
edy require Great Britain to take mill
tary possession Of the country and that,
as Salisbury says, would be d very diff
cult and a very expensive undertaking.
But the sympathies of the English peo-
pie have become so aroused by the Turks
inhuman treatment of the Christians in
Armenia that the nation was prepared to
back the Prime Minister in such a meas
ure, in spite OF its difficulty and its cost.
The reason ne has assigned is not. there
fore. in our opinion. the true reason why
he has so entirely changed front IN re-
spect to this matter. The real reason
why he has made this change is the
threatening prospect OF war with the
United States that has been so uneX-
pectedly forced on him. When he made
hs November speech be had no more
idea Of war with the United States than
he had Of all Mahomedans turning Chris
uans Now, however, he sees that
there is but one thing that can
prevent war between England and Amer
lea, and that is for the commission we
have created to say that England's posi-
ton is right II that commission says
that England's position is wrong and
this country declares that it will MAIN
tain the position taken by Mr.. Cleveland.
nothing can prevent war between the
two countries. England cannot rocede
from the position she holds. She, Of
course, makes no point OF the Schom-
burgk line. as the London Times has de-
clared That was only adopted as a
convenient way Of stating her case. Her
real case is that she viii not arbitrate
the title TO the homes of her citizens
tory. under the belief, encouraged by
their government, that il was English
territory. and that they would rest there
under British laws and British rule. The
Schomburgk line may somewhat exceed
these settlements. and where 1T does
Lord Salisbury is perfectly willing. to
mbilrate the title TO that excess. But
Doe mas declared than ne will not arbiirate
tine title TO the homes Of Englishmen thus
acquired. and me cannot and viii not
yield that point. with the chance OF turn
ing British subjects over TO Venezuelan
rule. Nothing therefore. can avert war
between this country and England, If
this country is going 10 sustain Mr.
Cleveland's position. but for our commits
sion TO find that England's claim is
right.
Lord Salisbury recognizes the serious
state Of the case. and he cannot of
course. venture upon such an undertake
ing as the military occupation Of Turkey
IN Asia, with war with the United
States on his hands at the same time.
This, IN our opinion, is the true explana-
ton OF the change in his tone.
The further We get from Mr.. Cleve-
lands war message and the more II Is
tested in the light Of reason, the more
foolish il Is seen TO be, and the more ex-
aspcrating the act becomes. Lord Sails
bury's position from the beginning has
been no more than statement that he
would take no chance Of surrendering
1000 oontented English subjects 10 the
semi-barbarous rule OF the Greasers and
half-breeds that make ~ Nenezuela's
population. These people or their fore
fathers settled In this territory at
time when II was a Wild one and when
England had long claimed Il as light
fully belonging to her and they settled
there, therefore. with an implied guar
antee from their Government that If tlcy
would make their homes there in So cd
faith, their Government would extend TO