Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-10

kish government had been guilty. Yet he
recognized that the most fitting instrument
of reform was not an army in an island
1000 miles of. 1t might be done by others.
Therefore, the only wise course he saw
was an adherence to the European concert.
If the European states were willing to act,
they had means of action which Great
Britain did not possess. If they were un
willing to act, and If they objected to iso-
lated action by Great Britain. there was
not only great risk of failing in the under
taking but the risk of bringing about the
frightful horrors of European war.
1t was nonsense to say that Great Britain
was Inundated IL she could persuade the
other five powers to adopt her particular
purposes.
Lord Salisbury demurred entirely he
said. from the idea that they were able to
bend the counsels and forces of gigantic
empires to whatever course Great Britain
thought desirable.
Acting for the General Welfare.
He denied that they were acting from
selfish principles in not interfering act
lively in Turkey. They were the trustees of
the interests of vast populations. and they
would be deeply culpable If those interests
were neglected. A general European war
might involve territorial changes vitality
affecting the nations of Europe.
"You cannot expect those nations" Lord
Salisbury proceeded to say, Ito regard the
problem In the same emotional and philan-
thropic spirit as you In your splendid isola-
ton. You may consider them dilatory but
you must confess that they have good mo-
tives for prudence.
We have been told by Mr.. Courtney and
Mr.. Morley Opposition leaders, that we
might influence the powers to our way of
thinking by abandoning Egypt and Cyprus
That Is a pretty and almost idyllic concep-
ton of international policy, but 1 do not
belive in it.
"And 1 may say" Lord Salisbury added,
W
that we see no cause to abandon the policy
hitherto pursued or to relinquish single
acre of the land we now occupy"
Having warmly eulogized the work of Sir
Herbert Kitchener. the sirdar of the Egyp-
tan forces, Lord Cromer. the British agent
at Cairo in connection with the Soudan ex-
petition, Lord Salisbury said that he could
not say more than that the concert of Eu-
rope seemed to be more real than ever be-
fore. He was very much pleased with the
eloquent speech of NJ. Hanotaux, the
French minister of foreign affairs, outlining
the requirements which the powers would
insist upon from the sultan. He believed
he said. that France would do nothing to
battle European action.
Lord Salisbury's remarks contained only
a guarded reference to the disclosures
made by Prince Bismarck through his
newspaper organ of a secret treaty be-
tween Germany and Russia. which existed
prior to 1880. The premier alluded to Prince
Bismarck as the greatest statesman which
the latter part of the century had pro-
duced.
Lord Salisbury demurred absolutely to
the presumption of the existence of per-
manent and necessary antagonism between
Russia and Great Britain.
OF this presumption Lord Salisbury said
That IS superstition of antiquated di-
plomacy. l have good ground to believe
that Russia entertalnS the same views and
pursues the same object as ourselves con-
corning the terrible events in the east"
In a short peroration, Lord Salisbury
having spoken for forty minutes. repeated
sentiments expressed by him in previous
speeches on the subject, to the effect that
our first duty is toward the interests of
our own country; our second duty to all
humanity to bring redress to thousands,
without threatening millions with ruin
Comment of London Papers,
All of the London papers contain editorial
references to the Marquis of Salisbury's
speech at the lord mayors banquet last
night. The Graphic says:
The Venezuelan settlement is practical
and equitable, and is a credit to all con-
cerned 1t fully justifies the Intervention of
the United States
The Daily Mail comments as follows:
Now that the United States has met us
on such satisfactory terms, the arranging
of the final settlement will be awaited with
quiet confidence. The grave danger of a
fratricidal war has been safely passed
over
The Times expresses regret that the
change of Presidents in the United States
viii serve to remove Mr.. Bayard the
United States ambassador from post
which he has filed with SO much tis1inc-
ton. The Times says of Lord Salisbury's
speech:
Lord Salisbury omitted TO state the de-
tails of the Venezuelan settlement but we
believe that IL will De found that where
fifty years British occupancy can be proved
arbitration shall be barred
The Graphic, on the contrary in refer
ring to the same subject, thinks that twelve
years occupancy is meant as the limit be-
yond which arbitration shall he barred
The Chronicle 0iberaD condemns Lord
Salisbury for his flippancy in dealing with
the grave Turkish problem. His Ven
eZueian statement adds the Chronicle
which, momentous as it was he char.
acteristcally belittled, is rather puz.llng
But we suppose it is all right, and that we
shaii soon be celebrating our great arbitra-
ton treaty with the United States"
The Morning Post (conservative) regards
LORD Salisbury's statement of the Ven
eZleian question as wholly satisfactory.
Inc standard conservative in its edi-
torlal says: How far the decision in re fer
ence to the settled districts (in VeneZuela,
implies an abandonment of the SchomburpL
line is detail which fuller knowledge IF
the local facts will clear I'D AT nrasent -
is enough to welcome an adjustment of diff
ferences which We're deeply deplorah. On
both sides of the Atlantic va
me DalIy News u1beraD, arguing from
previous decisions of the priyy council IN
colonial cases. notably in the Quebec .sa
OF Macdonald VS.. Lamb supposes thai
thirty years occupation of the SETTLED die
tr1cts In Venezuela gives title NO
me Daily News says:
Inc terms seem perfectly satisfactory
ana involve no surrender of essential nrin.
clpie. we suppose that where II is imnrac-
tcabie owing TO the scattered ma .ure nf III.
settlements 10 leave the settlers in nos
session, they will be entitled to comnenss-
uon for the disturbance. Not the Least
satisfactory thing about the compromise is
mat IL VIII enable both sides to claim a
victory. '"'i d
Lord Salisbury can claim having nro-
tected the rights of British settlers - Tho
Daily News continues. "Mr Olnev can
claim with literal truth that he has Sic
ceeded in bringing Great Britain to arbj-
ration 1t is rather disappointing thai
LORD Salisbury omitted to mention The
arbitaton treaty. Perhaps the matter Is
sun In train, and his reticence is due to
the fact that delicate negotiati lions are in
progress. Why should not a similar settle
ment be made to meet the difficulty on the
treaty question, namely the possibility of
territorial claims cropping up? Why should
not a treaty extinguish any right or title
real or imaginary, which either power
could claim to any territory now possessed
by the other?
Lord Salisbury is entitled to much credit