The morning times., 1896-02-23
WILL SALISBURY GET OUT
His Resignation as Foreign
Minister Expected.
ANOTHER RUSSIAN BLUNDER
Statement of the Foreign Office That
Russia Promised Not to Occupy
Corea Is Not True-The Cars
Empire Owes Salisbury Several
Grudges-Has Said Unkind Things.

London, Feb, %. The statement made
in the House of Commons on Thursday last
by the Right Hon. George Curzon, parlia-
mcntary secretary OF the foreign office, 10
the effect that Great Britain considered the
pledge given by Russia in 1886 not 10 oc-
cupy Corea under any circumstances as
still binding, was gravcly misleading.
Russia has never promised Great Britain
not 10 occupy Corea. In 1886 a British
fleet occupied Port Hamilton, il being then
alleged that this was a counter move 10
Russia : projected occupation Of Il port III
Corea.
The CoreanS pressed China as the suZeraln
Of their country to obtain the evacuation
OF Port Hamilton by the British. The
British government replied that il was
willing 10 withdraw its fleet provided thar
china obtained Russia's promise not TO
occupy any part of Corea.
Russia made the promise 10 China, and
Port Hamilton was abandoned by the
British, but it was banded over to China,
not To Corea, showing that Great Britain
respected China's suzerainty over Corea.
SHE PROMISED CHINA.
But Russia's promise was made 10 China
1t
il she will undoubtedly succeed III obtain
ing it. Indeed, il would satisfy the enmity
of the Chinese government against Japan
if Russia asked TO be released.
Despite the tone OF Mr.. CurZon's state
ncnt it is not clear that any other power
could prevent Russia from obtaining alb
solution from her promise.
The situation threatens another hunlia
ton for Lord Salisbury. The independent
journals, in londering over the unexpected
revcrses that the minister has met with i'll
his foreign policy evolve the following:
Lord Salisbury's reputation as a for
cign minister was almost wholly due 10
the belief that he was the favorite English
statesman on the Triple Alliance. Under
him British action i'll outlying parts of
the world used 10 always count on the
benevolent neutrality of the Triple Al
lance.
WANTED IT TO CONTINUE.
Lord Salisbury would have liked this to
have continued during his present min
istry. but the new principle Of continuity
in the British foreign policy compelled
| bin TO prosecute Lord Rosebery's Ar
menian, Chinese and japanese policies,
with the result that he dispeaSed Germany.
The elimination OF this dsplcas sure was
| Emperor Williams message 10 President
Kruger of the South African republic,
! which excited SO much hostility towards
! Germany here. Public opinion viii not
| tolerate The idea of British rappTcach-
mcnt with Germany, and a working en-
| tcnte with France is impossible without
! the approval of Russia.
Russia owes Lord Salisbury many per-
Sonal gTudgcs, dating from the negoti-
| alton of the treaty OF Berlin. Russian
| Journalists now recall a public speech made
| by Lord Salisbury in 1885, within a few
weeks Of his becoming prime minister for
! the first time.
In this speech he described Russia as
! being bankrupt in pocket and reputation,
and many similar utteranccs made by him
| are recalled
In diplomatic circles the belief grows
| that he will shortly withdra from the
post of foreign minister, but that he will
| retain the prime ministership.
Lord Lansdowne, formerly governor gen
eral Of India, is most likely to succeed him
| in the foreign office.