The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-04-06
SALISBURY, CORNERED, SNEERS

The English Liberals some time ago
for an English policy that will no
longer be dependent upon the mainten-
ance of the integrity of the Turkish
Empire. Thereupon Lord Salisbury,
the leaders to answer why they proposed
to abandon the traditional policy of
both parties. which alone can preserve
Europe from the terrors of war?
To this the Earl of Kimberly replied
by asking why European federation
meaning the concert" of the Powers
had frequently violated the integrity
of the Ottoman Power and had permit
ted the Empire to be sliced up from
time 10 time? Sir William Harcourt
joined in this question, which of course
implied the assertion that an integrity
as fragile asfhat is not worth preserv-
ing.
Lord Salisbury, in the debate that fol-
lowed, n1ayie a remarkable statement,
namely, that according to international
law Crete does not belong to Greece or
as he put it, Greece in point of in
ternational law has not a shred of right
to the Island of Crete which she has
invaded" Then he proceeded to add
that the Powers are defenders of in
ternational law and will defend it be-
cause only by its maintenance can the
peace of the world be assured. He
proceeded after that TO sneer-it was a
distinct sneer-at people who dare to
assert the right to be independent; to
choose by whom they Will be governed.
He said:
know that there are those, and / sup
pose the noble lord opposite is one of
them, who appeal TO some higher law,
whose precise provisions 1 do not know,
but by which what would have been a
filibustering expedition in any other
Power in this case is a righteous act,
because of some superior obligation,
do not know where it comes from, but
which is adduced by a subtle logic
which I cannot follow from the fact
that the battles of Thermopylae and
SaIamis were fought 1000 years ago
Crete is not the only island in the world
which Is dissatisfied with the mon
archy to which ii is attached; and other
races too have in the distant past
hopes. and traditions of which they are
proud and to which the poets among
themelove to appeal. If the Thermopy-
lac and Salamis argument is 10 be ia
ken into the law of Europe, it will not
be only the Turkish Empire, il will not
be.oniy the treaty of Paris. which will
bes affected by such a novel doctrine.
And this is the spirit in which the
Premier of England views the sentiment
that is rapidly spreading over the
world and that is an essential article
of American faith Evidently the En-
glish statesman is cornered and finds nc
way out, except to bluntly deny the
right to a people TO determine what
their form Of government is to be, and
to fall back upon a tradition that Tur-
KEY has by conquest and possession
gained a permanent right to Crete un-
der the rules of international law
and which England must maintain In
order to preserve the peace of the
world
Is it possible that the Prime Minister
has fears of the growth of the demo
cratic spirit in old England itself. ant
that some day this appeal to superior
law may override the traditions of tbs
nation. The New York Post makes
the point, however, that Salisbury
appeal to international law is weak ane
indefensible; is indeed confession OF
weakness of the Ministerial position. /
says:
Something might be said about TINS
ludicrous appeal to international law oS
a Minister supporting measure whoiis
unknown to international law. But 'h'
fatal thing is the cynical tone adoptes
towards the possion of humanity Which
blindly If you choose, has aroused .
much sympathy for Greece throughou
the civilized world. 1t is that sore y
thing which hopelessly incapaci'a'e'
Lord salisbury from ever being grea