The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-12-31
HARCoURT'S CHANCE.
Veteran English Statesman May
Lead the Liberals.


London, Dec 23-Unless some hitch
suddenly occurs in the plans of the Liber-
ais the new leader OF the party will be
Sir William Vernon Harcourt and when
the next upheaval in British politics
takes place 1t will be but a short step to
the premiership. Parliament will soon
assemble and the fate of HarcOurt viii
then be definitely settled. Since the sud-
den resignation of Lord Rosebery two
months ago, it has been generally ac-
cepted that he will be the choice of his
party.
The two men who may be considered
dangerous to his chances are Herbert H.
Asquith and John Morley. Asquith is the
choice of RoSebery and of many of the
Scotch members, while Morley is the fav
orite of the most radical home rulers
among the Irish members, because of his
intimate association with the cause of
home rule. Morley is the friend of Ear-
court. however. and it is doubtful OF he
would allow himself to be pushed into
the way OF the others success
Rosebery'S opposition to Harcourt is
the most formidable barrier to be over
come. The influence of the ex-premier is
widespread, with potent qualifications
running into royalty and the ranks of
aristocracy. 1t was the united support
he received from the court and aristo
cratic influence that gave him the pre-
miership when Mr., Gladstone retired.
Now 1t is said that closer ties than ever
bind Rosebery to royalty and that it
was this new association which caused
him to resign as leader of the Liberals
although the reason advanced at the time
was the opposite views OF Mr.. Gladstone
on the Armenian question.
Briefly told, the new connection OF
Rosebery with royalty is his ambition
to wed the Princess Victoria, daughter
of the Prince of Wales When the queen
was approached on the subject she dis
approved, mainly because Rosebery
ranked prominently as a party politician
Hence his resignation, to erface the cause
for royal displeasure. Wales. according
to the story. approves the match, not
withstandirg a difference of about .
toria and Rosebery. Victoria IS IN ner
18th year, but RoSebery is tremendously
wealthy, his first wife being a daughter
of the Rothschilds.
from the formers elevation to the pre-
miership. When Gladstone retired it was
the universal expectation that Harcourt
would succeed him, and he was leg1ti-
mately entitled to the honor by reason
of his long experience, ablllty and years
of hard work in the cause OF MS party.
Compared to Harcourt. Rosebery was
newcomer in the field, and, moreover, II
was always suspected that his personal
inclinations drifted along in the current
of aristocracy. He was the chum OF the
Prince of Wales and would go direct
from a meeting OF workingmen to join
the prince on some pleasure jaunt-
The selection of Liberal leader prom
ises to be an empty honor as far as the
to come. The Tories are so strongly IN
trenched in power that it is reckoned
that at least five years will elapse before
thte Liberals can hope for majority,
and with clever political MANAGEMENT,
the Tories ascendancy can be maintained
for ten years. AS Sir William Ha-court
is now in his 10Th year. this latter period
would bring him to the fore score mark.
when it is doubtful if he would be fitted
for the duties of the office But should
he be denied the position of leadership
at this precise period, when the Liberals
are sadly disorganized and weakened. 1t
is predicted that the party would speedily
go to pieces.
Rosebery it was expected that the Lib
eral managers would call meeting OF
the representatives of the party. lnciuo-
ing ali the Liberal members of Darlia-
ment. as we'll as delegates from all the
principal Liberal and Radical associa-
lions. Had the meeting been called at
that time Harcourt's success would have
been certain, but the opposition, knowing
this. postponed the matter in the nope
that something would occur to alter the
complexion of affairs before the assem-
bling of parliament. Today the sentiment
for Harcourt is as strong IS ever, and
unless the unexpected crops up he VIII
certainly be named.