The San Francisco call., 1896-10-10
The Ex- Premier Discusses the
Remedies for Settling the
Turkish Question.
DIsAGREEs WITH GLADSTONE.
Withdrawal of the British Embassa.
dor From Constantinople Would
Lead to Humiliation.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, Oct. o.
Speaking in this city tonight Lord Rose
Gerry, the ex-Premier, discussed the reme
dies that had been suggested for the
settlement Of the Turkish question. Re-
gardIng the proposal that Russia should
take possession of Constantinople he SAID
that the late Government (his OWN had
been extremely anxious to- arrive at an
entente with Russia, and he was still in
every way hopeful that satisfa ctCry un-
derstanding between England and Russia
would be reached. He urged the advo-
Gates OF the proposal, however, to remem-
Der the treatment that had been accorded
the Poles by the Russians. Moreover, he
asked, How is Great Britain to give to
Russia what is not hers2" Avowing G
venera.ion and unaltered friendship for
Mr.. Gladstone, Lord Resebery said that
he could not agree with the proposal made
by the latter in his Liverpool speech to
withdraw the British ambassador from
Constantinople or to threaten action
which coul1 not be effected If the powers
did not approve.
Such course would lead to humilia-
ton. He differed with Mr.. Gladstone in
the treaty to intervene in Turkey This
had been dead letter ever since it had
been signed. He did not desire especially
the retention of Cyprus and would will
lngly give it to any power except Turkey.
Lord Rosebery further declared that he
was especially opposed to isolated action
on the Turkish question. Such action
would mean a European war with the
slaughter of hundreds of thousands,
threaten the existence of Great Britain
and perhaps precede the ensavement of
the Armenlans.
Any British Minister incurring a Euro
pean war, except through the direct neces-
sity of interests distinctly British, would
be criminal to his country and TO his
position. Lord Rosebery then referred to
his retirement from the leadership of the
Liberal party, saying that the difference
of opinion on the Eastern question was
only one of series of incidents that had
induced him to resign. He added that he
had not received the loyal support that a
peer needed, if he was to lead his party sue
cessfully. His government in its early
days had been defeated by its own fol-
lowers. The policy he had suggested for
the election had not been adopted.
Finally Mr.. Gladstone had innocently
administered the coup de grace. The in
ternal differences in the party had beeu
equal to the external differences. His
action had been so hampered as to render
his position untenable.
The meeting unanimously adopted a
resolution expressing gratitude for the
manner in which Lord Rosebery had led
the party, deeply regretting his retire
ment and earnestly hoping that he would
reconsider his action and resume the lead
ership. Lord Rosebery replied that his
decision was the result of mature refec-
ton and had been taken with the convic-
ton of its absolute necessity.
The clubs here tonight were filled with
members who eagerly awaited report of
Lord Rosebery's speech at Edinburgh.
The Central News was alive to the i'm por-
tance of the occasion, and caused COL
umn of the speech to be put on the tick
ers" concurrent with its delivery. The
report was devoured with avidity, and the
references to the reasons that caused Lord
Rosebery to throw up the leadership of
his party were excitedly discussed. A
great tnrong filled the National Liberal
Club, which presented the appearance it
does at the time of great election.
The Daily News (Liberal) contends that
there is evidence of rally to Lord Rose
berry, or rather renewal of confidence in
him which his speech will strengthen
The Chronicle, a Liberal paper, but OPP
posed to Lord Rosebery as a leader, at
tacks him bitterly, accusing him of total
indifference to the sufferings of the Ar
menians. His speech, the paper declares,
was evidently an attempt to discredit the
regrets that Lord Rosebery thought it
necessary to express respect for Mr.. Glad
stone, upon which the speech was an at
tack.