The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-10-14
LIBERAL LEADERS ANSWER
1nONICAL QUESTION PUT by THE
CONSERVATIVE PRESS AROUsEs
THE ENEMY.
SALISBURY SHARPLY CRITICISED
~DisSrnce Abroad" and "Disaster at
Home" 80 American Timetable
Commissioners Likely to Get
InfayOrnbIc Answer.

london oct. 2.-(Copyrightcd, 1897,
by the Associated Press. THE question,
ironically asked by the conservative
press relative TO the whereabouts of the
liberal leaders, has been answered in
"trip hammer style during the past week
by the speeches Of Mr.. John Morley, the
former chief secretary for Ireland; Mr.
III. Ii. Asquith, the former home secre-
tary, and Mr.. George W. +. Russell,
former under secretary of state for In
.dia.
Disgrace abroad" and disaster at
home" were the tenor of all the
speeches, as was to be expected, but it
must be admitted that the arraignment
is approved by the conservatives when
they recall the record of the last few
years.
Mr.. Russell, in dealing with the sub
ject, recalled Prince Bismarck's verdict
of Lord Salisbury rs being "a lath
2pajnted to look like iron," and Lord Ran
.dc'ph ChurchilPs later estimate of the
premier, as being 1.-THE greatest funk in
Europe"
Mr.. Russell added his own opinion of
Lord Salisbury, namely:
"Frailty, thy name il Cecil
The recent byc-election in east Den
bigshire, resulting in a greatly increased
liberal majority, seems TO be u warning
that the people are wearying of the blum
'dering which has marked Lord Sails
bury's policy. Mr.. Russell recalled re-
cent instances, in which he said the
premier always started with fine dis
play of vigor, which ''Oozes away so soon
as his opponent shows fight"
Continuing, Mr.. Russell said Lord Sal
isbury backed down before Secretary
'Olney and is now backing down before
Secretary Sherman, and that during the
course of peace negotiations between
or William handled Lord Salibury so
sGgectually that he was forced to eat
ms own announcements.
Mr.. Russell concluded with remarking: |
His lordship has just conceded to the
French full sovereignty over Tunis, and
signs are not wanting that they will |
soon begin to elbow Ills out of Egypt, |
Even the Mussuman sav,ages of India
have taken heart. In short there are |
no limits to the endurance of poltroonery |
in high places"
Unless signs are deceiving trouble is
brewing in west Africa between the Brit
ish and French, who, since 1889, have
trebled their protectorate in the western
,Soudan and the great bulk of the acces-
sion to French territory has been carried
ont of the country generally regarded
influence. There are mysterious stories
nfloat of disturbances at Lagos, on the
west coast of Africa, and the movement
of British troops to that part of the
world from adjoining colonies. coupled
with the news that the French colonial
minister is going to Senegal The Mo-
hammcdan chief Samory is operating in
the Hinterland of the gold coast, ana
other signs lead to the belief that the
is dangerous and that the flow
of interests are becoming acute. high
colonial official said to Il representative OF
The Associated Press:
s"rhe native fermcnt amounts to moth
ing. but the fact is. the French are hem
ming us around Lagos and pushing us into
the sea. and unless we are rchabilitated
by commission to delimitatc the Anglo
TO be trouble"
The chancellor of the cXchcquer. Sir !
Michael Hicks Beach. returns from Lon
don next week, where his arrival is
anticipated by the United States
commissioners. While the
chancellor of the cXchequcr may com
municatc message Immediately to the ,
it is unlikely that it will
b, notification that the government is
still unable to give them a definite reply |
to their proposals. but hopes TO be able
to announce its conclusions at some Spc- 4
cifc future time. y
Public men who are in the best posi- {
lion to judge think that recent develop t
ments forcshadow negative answer. S
The situation has resolved into Il contest '
between the banking interests and the {
balance of forces in the government, and t
The impression is that Sir Michael Hicks
Beach who is personally an advocate d
VI the gold standard, but who seemed |
disposed To accedc to the wishes of the t
is being turned against the I
Iroject of Great Brtain's cooperation i
Dy the pressure of business interests {
Mai. Moses T. Handy, the special COM t
to the Paris exposition of 1900. d
ias had cordial interview with the G
french minister for foreign affairs. Nj.
lanotaux, in regard to the objects of his 4
'isit to Europe. but he and his associates d
ire dissatisfied with the small amount of
pace allotted to the United States and
hreatens to withdraw 1t is practically
impossible for the authorities to extend
he space. Apart from the facts that
he ground has been definitely chosen
he horse car and railroad lines approved
md the concessions granted. there is no $
AVAILABLE space whatever in proximity a