The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-03-20

Mr.. Gladstone's letter, which makes a
fou~rteen-page pamphlet. IS likely to cause
something of 3 sensation in Europe. Though
permanently out of politics. he is still the
leader of a large and potential element IN
British life. and. through public opinion. a
Trainer OF policies. He has had a long public
career. and while it may be open to criticism
in some respects. no one will deny that his
name carries prestige and his opinions
weight. A man who has been three times
prime minister of England will command at
tention when he speaks on European affairs.
no matter how old he may be. As far as may
be judged from the brief outline of Mr..
Gladstone's pamphlet. it is a blast at the
whole system of European politics, and es-
pecially at the British policy of playing
second fiddle to the European powers. He
charges he latter with s~elfshness. insin-
certify and bad faith. He intimates that
the so-called concert of the powers is a
false pretense. Referring to his attempt
To establish concert of the powers in 1883.
he says: I'VE soon discovered that for
several of the powers concert came 10 have
a significance totally at variance with that
which we attached to it, and included toy
demonstrations which might be made under
the condition that they should not pass into
reality This is his opinion OF the pre-,
tended concert of the powers when he was
premier. and he adds: AT present they
have no common purposes TO bring them to-
gether." This leaves no doubt as to Mr..
Gladstone's views on this phase of the
question. Passing to personalities. he is
still more outspoken. He says:
1t is time TO speak with freedom. AT
this moment two great states are under the
government of two young men. one wholly
without knowledge and experience and the
other having only such knOwieGge and ex-
perlence, in truth limited enough. as TO have
excited establishment and CONSERVATION
when an inkling of them was given to the
world. These, so far as their sentiments
are known, are using their power in the
concert to fight steadily against freedom.
Why are we to have cur government pinned
TO their aprons:
OF course, the two young men referred TO
are those who are ruling by divine right
over Russia and the German empire. The
Car, Nicholas III, is i'm his twenty-ninth
year. and Emperor William is thirty-six,
They are not boys. but a man of Mr.. Glad
stones age has a right to call them young
men. Only the principle of divine right
could make rulers of them. The American
people have never elected as young a Presi-
dent. and probably never will. Nor have
they had much experience in craftsmanship
The Car succeeded TO the throne in 1881
and the Emperor in 1883. 1t is little wonder
that from Mr.. Gladstone's elevated point
of view they appear TO be mere tyros In
craftsmanship. He had been in public life
twenty-six years when Emperor William
was born, and entered Parliament thirty
five years before the Car first saw the
meaning the Car, is wholly without
knowledge and experience" and the other
has only such knowledge and experience
in truth limited enough. to have excited as.
constituent and CONSERVATION when an ink.
ling of them was given to the world
1t is to be hoped the pamphlet containing
these caustic expressions will reach tn,
eyes of the two young men alluded to, es.
pecially of Emperor William. In order tina
he may see how he looks to a retired states.
man who is in a position TO tell the truth
and not afraid to speak his mind. The
pamphlet would not be a good introduction
for Mr.. Gladstone in Germany. but it /:
not likely he contemplates visiting thai
country. His language is, however. no
too strong. He might have added that the
Emperor's eccentricities are so pronounced
and his bad breaks in public affairs Sc
numerous as to justify the stories. recently
revived, concerning his mental condition
Whether he is unbalanced or only reckless
he is just the sort Of man TO plunge Ger.
many into a war in which he would b,
powerless to lead. The whole purport 81
Mr.. Gladstone's pamphlet seems to be {
strong arrangement of these inexperienced
rulers whose animating motive is hostility
TO freedom. and he may we'll ask. why ar,
We TO have our government pinned to Their
aprons?" The pamphlet will excite varied
comment in Europe. for. while it does no
represent the British government at pres
ent, il represents the sentiments OF a part,
that may come in control of the govern
ment.
A CASE FOR PROMPT ACTION.