New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-30
EuROPE AND GREECE.
.,,c,rsH LIBERALS UNITED AGAINST A
u,rEruL POLICY OF CoERcIoN-THE
GREEKS NOT WITHOUT AN ALLY


~. ant-Turk agitation In England has
.susuy been converted into party move
,.n. What was at ilrst a crusade preached
18th almost fanatical ardor by the Editor of
18th. Daily Chronicle" Is now the cause OF the
r-,,ed Liberal party. Mr. Labo chere and Sir
charles Dixie are not more earnest In uphold
,,9 the rights Of the Greeks and In condemning
.,a selfshness and impotence OF the European
,oncert than Sir Henry Fowler. Mr.. Asquith
and Mr. James Bryce. Lord Kimberley and
Cir william Harcourt have united this week In
making this question OF foreign diplomacy an
issue OF party politics. and the political man.
.xers OF the National Liberal Federation have
xelcorned this addition 10 their stock in-trade
Mr. Glsdstone's pamphlet on the Greek occupa-
ton Of Crete and European campaigning in de-
fence OF the Great Assassin helps powerfully to
rauv the Liberal party behind its leaders Bit
ter taunts have been exchanged between the
'front.' beaches OF the House OF Commons and the
coercion OF Greece has become a party question
On which there Will be a full muster OF mem
hers or each side whenever q vote Of censure
Is moved.
Lord Roseberys position is unknown unless
"The Daily News" has unconsciousy reflected
his opinions in its cautious and Unconditional
leaders: but otherwise there is complete agree
ment among the members OF the last Liberal
Cabinet. With one voice they protest against
the use Of the English fleet and army in the
coercion Of Greece. They denounce Engand's
association with the European concert
policy OF shame and dishonor. Lord Kimberley
and Sir William Harcourt are equally out
spoken in declaring that they will have nothing
10 Go with the maintenance OF the integrity
O, the Ottoman Empire One tersely exclams
that he will not pat the country's money on the
wrong horse. and the other IS prepared TO well
come every dismemberment OF the Sutan's DO
rninions as gain 10 humanity.
Neither statesman would have spoken with
little reserve at Norwich If he had not read the
advance sheets Of Mr.. Gladstone's powerful In
dictment OF the European concert Each was
inspired with the knowledge that trumpet-call
10 the English conscience was about to be
sounded which would unite the Liberal party.
Lord Kimberley, who is naturally a timorous
ran. with caution and ndecison induced by
Official habit was for once bold and contemptu-
Gus Sir William Harcourt, who is a fighting
leader in Opposition, even when he has to put
his back to the wall perceived the opportunity
FOR aggressive campaigning, and rushed to the
front with the fire and spirit Of old war
horse.
STRIKING FIRE IN THE HOUSE.
Sir William Harcourt could not mistake the
temper Of either side OF the House Of Commons
when he entered It after making this fiery fight
ing speech. On his own side he welcomed
with the hcartiest applause from Liberal benches
which has been heard for many a day. On the
other side there was sullen silence, broken by
counter-cheers when Mr. Balfour appeared.
There were signs Of heat and passion. and in a
Cow rf-,, hc.a pi1 pXhharppi
Morley and Sir Charles Dixie. referring TO the
French speeches which Lord Salisbury had ex
tolled as a lucid exposition OF British policy.
asked for additional explanations. and Mr.. Bal
four's anger became uncomfortable. With white
face and flashing eyes he tainted the Opposition
with guerilla warfare in embarrassing the Gov
eminent as much as they could by their speeches
cut OF doors and their questions In the House
His followers liked him the better for losing his
temper and supported him with prolonged cheers
When Str William Harcourt slowly rose the
cheers were changed 10 hooking laughter and
were answered by loud applause on the Liberal
side He began with E. pointed sarcasm ana
ended nv repeating the unanswered question
with dignity OF manner Mr.. Balfour replied
with fresh taunts and challenge TO the Opposi-
non 70 move a vote Of censure, while the Minis
terial benches bristled with resentment against
the Liberal leader and were fairly frantic IN their
manifesto tons OF delight
STR William Harcourt having been extremely
hold Of Norwich and having demonstrated his
Willingness 20 march rapidly and 10 lead the
Liberal forces was too wary 70 be drawn pre-
maturely into debate which would only nave
strengthened the Concert OF Coercion by rally
ing the J-nionists TO the defence Of the Govern
msnt. He knew that on the morrow everybody
.
that great impulse would be impaired TO the
anti-Turk movement in England. He did not
accept the challenge 10 vote OF censure and his
followers acquiesced silently in his Judgment.
knowing that he had established his authority
10 lead them on this question
MR.. GLADsTONE's PAMPHLET.
What f. apparent to-day IS that Sir William
Harcourt at Norwich. was the courier or MI
Gladstone The new pamphlet. which - even
more powerful IN argument and more eloquent
in STYLE than the famous Bulgarian essay, IS
now IN every ones hands and is producing pro-
found impression. II opens with recital OF the
Armenian rnassacres. more wicked than any
thing else in history. and With the snameIuI
record NJ European incompetence and helpless
ness in dealing with them II describes lhe
concert Of 1880 for the enforcement of the Mon
tenegrfn and Thessallan proVlsiohs % 'he AiV"''
Of Berlin. and reveals the important fact that
plan was formed by England for the seizure OK
Smyrna. by which the Sultan frightened into
submission. II contrasts this concert for right
action with the Intellectual concert Of negations
directed by the German Emperor and the Car
who are making use OF It in order to fight against
freedom II warns Engishmen that II is time
to shake off this incubus and to discard the
catchword q the integrity OF the ottoman En-
pire and closes with an eloquent appeal against
an alternative so detestable the punishment
o, Greece for heroic action and for saving
Europe from irretrevable disgrace II Is
great argument. admirably phrased and charac-
ierzaA h,, alo,.a.ior, ~ tnne and dgnty Of siye.