New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-11
HIS EXPLANATION AT EDINbCndn
SCARCELY MEETS EXPECTATIONS.
THE QUESTION OF THE LIBERAL LEADERSHIP uJas
DEcIDED-THE cZARs RECEPTION IN FRANCE
AND ITS POLITICAL SIGNIFIcANCE-
AMERICAN POLITICS AND FINANCE
IN ENGLAND-NEWS OF
THE DRAMA.
rpY CABLE TO THE rRIBUNE.l

speech but failed to justify the Tublic ~ resi-
which had been excited by his letter OF resigna-
tion. He gave his audience an hours exposure"
of the history. theory and practice OF diplomacy
in the Eastern question. and then MADE the per-
sonal explanation which every one had come 10
hear Newspaper criticism had not inhuehceo
him. did he profess to base his resignation
entirely on the difference OF opinion existing De-
tween him and his colleagues on the Armenian
question. MIR. Gladstone. it was true. had 'hho'
Gently and unconsciously administered coup
de grace to his successor but that was merely
the last straw AS a peer. the leader was shut
up in O. permanently hostile assembly. with
handful of followers. He had no chance OF sue
cess unless he received very exceptional sup
port This he had not received. and after hold
ing his untenable position beyond conditions Of
dignity and sef-respect, he had decided 20 re-.
linquish it.
This was the burden OF his personal explata-
ton So far as the Armenian question was con-
cerned. Lord Rosebery failed to reveal conflict
of opinion that was serious enough TO account
for his withdrawal He condemned Isolated ac'
ton by England as calculated to lead to Euro.
mean war: but neither Sir William Harcourt nor
any other colleague has proposed 1t. MIR. Glad
stone has indeed suggested method OF boy
cotting the Sultan, and even OF single handed
intervention but he has qualified his advice
with the proviso that such action must not In.
volve risk Of a European war. The main points
of difference between Lord Rosebery ana DIT
William Harcourt are that the former raw y
concerted action with the European Powers. and
considers the Cyprus convention entirely mop.
erative. whereas the latter urges prompt meas.
ures for reaching an agreement with Russia ana
a formal denunciation Of Lord Beaconsheld's
Arglo-Turkish treaty as a means to that end.
Evidently Lord Rosebery has teen waiting Tor
Some pretext for resignation. and has seized
upon Mr. Gladstones Liverpool speech as con-
venient bridge open at his rear to enable him to
retreat. He does not attack Mr. Gladstone but
apostrophiZes his noble sublime spirit, whlle
holding him responsible for his own enforced re-
tirement. The logic Of his argument respecting
mis- disability and helplessness as peer and
leader points unerringly to the necessity for
having a leader in the House Of Commons. where
Mr.. Gladstone persisted In remaining; and to
this extent he justifes the criticism Of his most
malignant foes. like Mr.. Labouchere. From an.
other point OF view his weakness was source OK
strength for IT was : vad argument for a radi.
cal change in the parliamentary system, by
which the powers and privileges Of the House
would be abridged, and peers be enabled to occu.
by seats in the Commons at their discretion.
light upon the dreadful situotion In the East
His condemnation of the excesses Of the anti.
Turkish agitation in England comes too late 70
tranQuillZe public opinion. and his dependence
upon the resources of European concert which
have repeatedly collapsed during the last two
years is confession that the Sultan's Govern
ment is licensed to kill. and that nothing can be
done to stay its murderOus hand. Sir William
Harcourts demand for diplomatic agreement
with Russia and for the renulciaton Of the Cy-
prus convention is deemed by many more prac.
teal and ineligible than Lord Rosebery's re-
|. fusal to unite with Mr.. Gladstone In declaring
that nothing is to be expected from European
concert but organized helplessness.
AS for the Liberal prospects, these I'VE been
clouded by Lord Rosebery's indictment Of Mr..
Gladstone and his charge that he has not re-
ceived proper support from his colleagues. four
of whom-Messrs. Asquith. Bryce. Fowler and
Arnold Morey--were on the platform with him
and loyal to the last. His speech is praised by
the Unionist press as dignifed and statesman
like but ii has disheartened many Liberals. Wild
ened the lines OF cleavage within the party. and
chilled the enthusiasm of Scotland. where his
influence has been greatest. While he singled
out Mr. Asquth by his special commendation for
his personal loyalty and thereby indirectly NOM
mated him for the succession, immediate
change in the Liberal leadership is probable.
Sir William Harcourt certainly cannot be sup
planted as the head Of the Opposition in the
Commons, easy 1t may be for Lord Kimberley
to lead the group OF Liberal peers in the upper
house He is the only possible successor to Lord
Rosebery and will be supported by Mr.. John
Morley. AS a tactican he has superior in tho
House Of Commons. and Is the only man on the
Liberal side capable of replying to Mr.. Chamber
tba hast dol for nd oNp
politician in England. As there is no immediate
prospect OF the Queen sending for any Opposi-
tion chief to form Ministry the titulaP
leadership will be left temporarily in allegiance
with Sir William Harcourt in reserve as pre-emi.
nently the best fighter the Liberal side and q
statesman who has earned distinction in leader.
ship by a lifetime OF brilliant service and by hin
mastery conduct of the feeble minority In tss
last session.
The Cars reception in France has excited
many bad jokes in England on minor themes
such as the vagaries of the Partisan cuisine The
decline of republican simplicity, the revival Of
Imperialism and the necessity Of regulating By
diplomatic protocols personal intercourse Be-.
tween a sovereign and a mere president. This
raillery has the hollow sound of tinklng GYM
bal. What has been witnessed Is an event Of
crowning Importance in European history
fraught with momentous consequences. Bis.
marcks diplomacy In creating the Triple Alli-
ance and isolating and humi!iating France has
been brought to naught. The popular equation
expressed in the decorations transparencies
ard lines Of gas jets. namely. one plus one equa,s
three. has been carried into practice in Euro
pean diplomacy. The Franco Russian alliance
| has been mutually advantageous and the recent
fetes have united the two nations by stronger
bonds OF good feeling. Russia is the arbiter Of
the Eastern question and at liberty to enter Con-
stantinople whenever she likes. and the prestige
OF France has been restored In Europe.
The Triple Alliance Is crumblirg. and England
ia knocking at the doors OF Russia and France