The record-union., 1897-10-03

LONDON, Oct. 2.-(copyrighted, 1897,
by the Associated Press).-The question,
ironically asked by the Conservative
press, relative to the whereabouts Of
the Liberal leaders, has been arrested
in trip-hammer style during the past
week by the speeches of John Morley,
the former Chief Secretary for ireland;
II. b. Asquith, the former Home Secre-
tary, and George w. E. Russell, for
merly 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 consciences of many
Conservatives when they recall the
record of the last few years.
Mr.. Russell in dealing with the sub
ject, recalled Prince Bismarcks verdict
of Lord Salisbury as being "a lath
painted to look like iron,'' and Lord
Randolph ChurchilPs later estimate Of
the Premier as being THE greatest
funk in Europe" Mr.. Russell added
his own opinion of Lord Salisbury
namely, "Frailty, thy name is Cecil
The recent bye election in East Dem
bighshire, resulting in a greatly increas-
ed Liberal majority, seems to be g.
warning that the people are wearying
of the blundering which marked Lord
Salisbury's policy.
Mr. Russell recalled recent instances
in which he said the Premier always
started with a fine display of vigOr,
which "oozes away so soon as his oppo-
nents show fight
Continuing, Mr.. Russell said Lord
Salisbury backed down before Secre-
tary Olney, and is now backing down
before Secretary Sherman, and that
during the course of the peace negotia-
tions between Greece and Turkey, the
Car and Emperor William handled
Lord Salisbury so effectually that he
was made to eat his pronouncements
Mr.. Russell concluded with remark
ing: His lordship has just conceded to
the French the full sovereignty over
Tunis, and signs are not wanting that
they will soon begin to elbow us out of
Egypt. Even the Mussulman savages
Of India have taken heart, knowing
that they are dealing with mere man
of words. In short, there are no linn
it's to the endurance of poltroonery in
high places"
Unless the signs are deceiving,. trou-
the British and French. There are
mysterious stories afoat of disturb
ances at Lagos, on the west coast Of
Africa, and the movements Of British
troops to that part of the world from
adjoining colonies, coupled with the
news that the French Colonial Minis
ter is going to Senegal.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sir
Michael Hicks Beach, returns to Lon
don next week, where his arrival is
eagerly anticipated by the United
States Monetary Commissioners. While
the Chancellor of the EXchequer may
communicate a message Immediately
to the Commissioners, it is likely that
it will be notification that the Gov
ernment is still unamle to give them q
definite reply to their proposals, but
hopes to be able to announce its con-
clusions at a specific future time. Pub
lie men who are in the best position to
judge, think recent developments fore
shadow a negative answer. The situa-
ton has resolved itself to q contest be-
tween the banking interests and the
bimetallic forces in the Government,
and the impression in the latter cir
cles Is that Sir Michael Hicks-Beach,
who is personally an advocate of the
gold standard, but who seemed disposed
to accede to the wishes Of the bimeta1-
lists, is being turned against the pro-
ject Of Great Britain's cooperation by
the pressure of business interests.