The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-18
IT WAS A DISCRETION
Harcourt's Trap Door Exit From
the Liberal Stage.
THE PARTY Is lEAOERLESS
The Liberals Are Divided In Their Pre-
ferences-American Commissioners
Have Their Eyes Opened TO
England's Position.
Copyright 1ses by Associated Press.

Copyright 1885 by Associated Press.
London, Dec. 1.-THE sensation Of
the present week has been Sir William
Vernon Harcourt's trap door exit from
the front of the liberal stage. which has
left his party in a broken-winged con
dition. 1t Is very clear from the speech
delivered at yesterdays meeting of the
National Liberal Federation that the
rank and file are seriously d~ispleased
with what is regarded in the light of
desertion.
The letters of Sir william Vernon
Harcourt reveal that a state of intrigue
and internal revolution has exist
ed in inner liberal circles for the past
year. But the liberal organs and speak
ers emphatically deny that there was
any desire to supplant him. The liberal
organs openly give Sir william a piece
of their mind. The Speaker, as mouth
piece of the party, says:
Neither the tone nor the actual Ian
guage of Sir William Vernon Harcourt
or Mr.. Morley are what we had the
right to expect from them. They have
been regarded as Singing examples and
we are sorry they have fallen short
of their own reputation"
DIR. Spence Watson, the great wire
puller of the party, is even more un-
kind. Referring to Sir Williams let
ter Of resignation, he remarked snap
pishly: There is 10 such Office as
leader of the liberal party"
The liberals seem quite divided on the
subject of Sir Williams successor and
the tone of their press is marked by
an embarrassing conflict of preferen-
ces for Mr.. Morley, Mr.. Asquith and
Sir Henry Campbell Zimmerman, Mr..
Asquith. perhaps. having a slight lead,
n II he consented to sacrifice his big
practice at the bar, which is inconsis-
tent with the duties of the liberal lead
ership. he would undoubtedly be Sc
lected.
Harcourt will remain a private mem
Der of the party and as soon as the
liberals come into power he will re-
ceive a peerage and practically retire
from parliamentary life.
The Irish members of parliament af-
feet to be highly displeased at the dis
organization of the liberal party. The
Freemen's Journal hits home when IL
says: THE liberal wise men for years
past have been lecturing the Irishmen
on the subject of dissension, which they
give as justification for the disappoint-
ment of home rule. But they complete
ly ignored the beam in their own eye"
After the treaty was signed at Paris.
and when the farewells were being ex-
changed. Senior Rios. president of the
Spanish commission. seized Interpreter
Ferguson's hands. and i'm a courtly Span
ish manner. exclaimed: 81 am sure you
must have a acknowledging for Spaniards,
for you speak our language not only with
the head, but with the heart
Mr.. Ferguson is gifted with a remarka-
BILE memory. He would listen to a speech
10 or 20 minutes long. and would then
repeat its substance in the other Ian
guage. The accuracy Of his TRANSACTIONS
was never questioned.
The proudest member of the returning
party is Edward Savoy. the state depart
ment messenger. who delivered the ulti-
matum of the United States government
to the Spanish minister at Washington,
Senior Depuy de LONE. Savoy is carrying
the American copy of the treaty and is
guarding IL as carefully as though he had
crown Jewels i'm his possession. Savoy
speaks with pride Of his part in signing
the which consisted of affixing
the seals with the wax candles used by
Judge Day when he was secretary Of
state. and which Savoy brought to Paris
for that purpose.
The American commissioners return to
the United States with their eyes opened
in regard to the Anglo-American under
standing. They. like the majority of
Americans. arrived in Europe with the
idea that a sentimental, fraternal love
of America prevailed all over Great Brit
ain. They returned with the knowledge
that. except i'm public speeches and in
public prints. America is almost as much
criticised here as on the continent. Brit
ish politicians and business men recog-
nize the fact that the understanding or
alliance of America is highly desirable.
But to pretend. as many of the newspa-
pers now do. that II is based on kinship,
is absurd TO any one i'm a position to hear
the daily comments. both private and pub
lie, of the people of England.