New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-10-10
pOSEBERY'S EXPLANATION.
,,r MAKES A SPEECH IN EDINBURGH ON
THE TURKISH QUESTION.

rr SHOWS THAT ISOLATED ACTION BY ENG
LAND IS NOT FEAsIBLE-wHY HE RE-
srcyEp THE LEADERSHIP OF THE LIB
ERAL PARrY-wILL HE RECON
sIDER HIS ACTION?
rdinburgh Oct. 9.-Speaking in this city to-
,,ebt Lord Rosebery, the ex-Prime Minister,
discussed the remedies that had been suggested
.or the settlement Of the Turkish question. He
.aapced reasons against nearly every one OF the
remedies.
regarding the proposal that Russia should
coke possession Of Constantinople Lord Rose
,srv said that the late Government (his own)
had been extremely anxious to arrive at an
entente with Russia. and he was still in every
vav hopeful that satisfactory understanding
between Great Britain and Russia on the Tur-
r,sh question would be reached. He urged the
advocates Of the proposal however to remem
her 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 hers?
Avowing generation and unaltered friendship
for Mr.. Gladstone. Lord Rosebery 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
the Powers did not approve. Such course
would lead to humiliation. He differed with MT
Gladstone In the opinion that Great Britain was
hound by the Cyprus Convention to intervene in
Turkey This convention had been dead letter
over since II had been signed. He did not desire
specially the retention Of Cyprus. and would
willingly give IL to any Power, except Turkey, as
the price Of European concert.
Lord Rosebery further declared that h" was
en,phaticaly opposed to isolated action by Great
Britain on the Turkish question and would nght
The proposal that she act alone tooth ana nail.
Such action would mean European war, win
the slaughter of hundreds Of thousands. threaten
the existence Of Great Britain. and. perhaps pre-
cipitate the determination Of the Armenans.
He could conceive Of nothing more futile. uah-
eerous and disastrous than such policy ANY
british Minister mourning a European war. ex-
cept through the direct necessity or interests
ds,,nctlv British would be criminal to f.s
country and TO his place. He pelleVeo 'nat
any inst war would have the assistance or the
British colonies. . -, A..
He doubted that a war in behalf OF the Ar
menians would elicit such assistance. -, 49,.
The panacea was concer'e1 ae rn,,id not he
Powers nearest interested i"i' '0 "
Lord Rosebery then referred TO his retirement
from the leadership of the Liberal party. saving
that the difference of opinion on the Eastern
ouestion was only one Of a series OF lncloents
that had induced him 70 resign the leaoeishP;;
He added that he had not received the loYai
support that a Peer needed If he was 10 ieau
his tarty successfully; His Government IN us
early days. had been defeated 10y us own III. III,
Iowers TIE policy he had suggested for the
election had not been adopted FINALLY MI.
Gladstone had innocently administered the coup
de grace The internal differences IN the parry
nod hean enual TO the external differences. HIS
action had been so hampered as 10 render ms
nosjtion ultenable. He had rendered ms resie
nation TO his colleagues after the election. Lord
Dosehery in conclusion, thanked Messrs row
Ter. Asauith. Bryce and Arnold Morley for their
cordial support. $1,000, .,,
zion expressing gratitude for the manner IN
which Lord Rosebery had led the Liberal party
deeply regretting his retirement and earnestly
hopng that he would reconsider his action ana
resume the leadership.
Lord Rosebery replied that his decision was
the result Of mature reflection and had been
taken with the conviction Of its absolute reces-
sity.