Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1896-10-11
EASTERN WAR A REAL DANGER.
England VIII Have to Wait for the
All mr. Ennscnl Of NIhcr Nmiinns.

England VIII Have to Wait for the
Aid or Consent of other Nations.
EDINBURGH. Oct 1O.-The Empire thea
ter here was packed with 1000 auditors laet
night to listen to the earl of Rosebery, the
retiring leader of the liberal party. 1t was
his agreement to speak at this meeting
which preclpitated Lord Rosebery's action
in resigning In his letter to Mr.. Ellis, the
first liberal whip, Lord Rosebery said in
explanation of his resignation: when
speak, which do this week, must speak
my mind without reference to party"
Tremendous enthusiasm greeted Lord
Rcsebery upon his appearance before the
audience the whole assembly singing He's
Jolly Good Fellow" The earl was pale
with suppressed feeling when he arose to
make his address. He said, in part, that
he had resigned because he could not
sacrifice national interests to personal am
bition He welcomed the national agitation
in Great Britain on behalf Of Armenia, be
cause It would convince foreign governments
of Great Britain's unselhsh integrity and
would strengthen the hands Of the govern
ment But the present agitation, Lord
Rosebery pointed out, differed from Mr.
Great Britain was supported by Russia lie
added: Now we have Russia and hel
armies against us Russia's declarations
on this point are absolutely conclusive"
Regarding the proposal to place the Oar
danelles Of Turkey in the hands of Russia
Lord Rosebery pointed out that neither o.
these was Great Britain's to dispose
Of, and previous methoas, he said, were mo-
so ideal as to warrant us In acquiescing
He also differed from Gladstones propose
to cut off diplomatic relations with Turkey
but they differed, he added as friends
The speaker even deprecated the propose
of such a thing, as 1t would not only de
prive Great Britain of all her influence
with Turkey, but might drive us into wal
and its failure would leave Great Britain
in the same position, plus the public hui
initiation OF confcssing her impotence.
The speaker added: Il cannot agree with
Mr.. Gladstone that the possibility OF war is
phantasm. My knowledge to a very recent
time was that a fixed and resolute agree
ment existed OF all or nearly all the powers
TO forcibly resist any single-handed inter
vention by England in eastern affairs. l
earnestly protest against a policy involving
as this certainly would be by the extermna-
ton OF the Armenians, in whose behalf It
would be waged.
"Such a war would transcend twenty
Flodden fields and the CHASTITY phantom of
the death angel, which legend says ap-
peared over Edinburgh on the eve of the
battle of Fioddcn, would appear to every
hamlet, village and town of the kingdom
A.. 4
manhood to sacrifice their lives. Amy min
ister engaging in such a war, except from
the direst necessity, would be criminal in
his country"
Enlarging further upon this topic, Lord
Rosebery expressed the opinion that the
British colonies would take the view Of
this as did the United States, (which, al
though willing to join in diplomatic would
deprecate invoking the arbitrament of the
sword on a question not directly concerning
their vital interests"
Peace Lord Rosebery affirmed, lis a
necessity of your empire, For the last
twenty years you have been laying hands
with frantic cagerness on every available
and desirable tract Of territory. The terri
tory thus brought into your possession or
sphere of influence in the last twelve years
is 2,5OO00O square miles. This policy has
produced two results, first the excitement
Of an almost lntoerable desire of envy In
the other colonizing nations, entaling their
maleyolence instead of their bencyoence
second, the making OF an unwiedy empire
difficult to administer and to defend unless
a long period of peace effects consolidation"
The liberal eX-premicr then continued
lengthily to argue for his own panacea
namely, the concert Of Europe. Unless his
retirement should produce unity, Lord Rose
berry said the sacrifice will be made in vain.
He advised that whoever vas chosen leader
they should support him Loyalty, for a united
party behind an inferior leader was better
than q disunlted party behind the best
leader. He predicted that Mr.. Asquith's
qualities OF head and heart would eventually
lead him to the highest office in the state.
Augustine Blrrell. member Of parliament
for the West Division OF Fife, then moved
a resolution requesting that Lord Rosebery
shall reconsider his resignation This was
carried unanimously. Mr.. Asquith in his
speech supported the resolution. Lord Rose.
berry, replying, said that his decision to re.