The herald., 1898-12-18
LOOKED ON BY LIBERALS AS A
DISCRETION
COMPLIMENT COMMISSIONERS
A Frank Statement of Sentiment in
England Regarding Alliance
With the United States
Associated Press Special Wire

the Associated Press). The sensation OF the
political week has been Sir William Yer
non Harcourt's s trap-door exit from the front
of the Liberal stage, which has left his party
in broken winged conditions and it is very
clear, from the speech delivered at yester-
DAVIS meeting of the National Liberal feder-
alton, that the rank and file are seriously
displeased with what is regarded in the light
of desertion.
The letters of Sir William Nernon-Har-
\ court reveal that a state of intrigue and
internal division has existed in inner circles
for the past year. But the Liberal organs
and speakers emphatically deny that there
was any desire to supplant him.
The Liberals seem quite divided on the
subject of Sir Williams successor and the
tone of their press is marked by an embar-
RAISING conflict of preferences for Mr.. Nor
ley, Mr.. Asquith and Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman, Mr.. Asquith, perhaps, having
a slight lead and if he consented to sac
riice his big practice at the bar, which is in
consistent with the duties of the Liberal
leadership, he would undoubtedly be Sc
lected.
Harcourt will remain private member
of the party, and as soon as the Liberals
come into power he will receive a peerage
and practically retire from parliamentary
life.
The Irish members of parliament affect
to be highly dispeased at the disorganiza-
ton of the Liberal party. The Freeman s
Journal hits home when it says: 'The Lib
eral wise men for years. past have been lee
turing Irshmen on the subject of dissen-
sions which they give as justification for
!. postponement of home rule. They com
pletely ignored the beam in their own eye.'
OUR COMMISSION
1t is doubtful if a more businesslike, hard
working body than the American peace COM
mission, which sailed today for New York
on board the American line steamhip St.
Louis, from Southampton, ever represented
the United States abroad. The Americans
are greatly indebted in all stagaes to the
training of Prof Moore, secretary of the
United States commission, who participat ed
in the conferences, and whose good advice
was often a deciding factor in weighty prob
lens.
The American commissioners also say a
compliment was paid to Arthur Ferguson,
the interpreter attached to our commits
sion, by Spaniards, who, although he was an
American attache, trusted him to. represent
both parties After the treaty was signed
and when the farewells were being ex-
changed, Senor Rios, president of the Span
ish commission, seized Mr.. Ferguson hands
and in a courtly Spanish manner exclaimed:
81 am sure you must have a fellow feeling
for Spanards, for you speak our language,
not only with the head, but with the heart. .
Mr.. Ferguson is gifted with remarkable
memory. He would listen to speech ten
or twenty minutes long, and would then re
peat its substance in the other language.
The accuracy of his translation was never
questioned.
ALLIANCE TALK
The American commissioners return
with their eyes opened in regard to the
Anglo American understanding. They,
like the majority of Americans, arrived in
Europe with the idea that a sentimental,
fraternal love for America prevailed all over
Great Britain. They return with the
knowledge that, except in public speeches
and public interests, America is almost as
much criticised here as on the continent.
British politicians and business men recog-
b nize the fact that an understanding OF alli-
ance with America is highly desirable. But
v to pretend, as many of the newspapers now
do, that it is based on knship, is absurd to
anyone in a position to hear the daily com
ments, both private and public, of the people
of England.
The Spectator today, however, again in
ssts upon a sentimental alliance, and says:
"The air is full Of talk of alliances and OF
how good for this country it would be to
ally ourselves to this great power. Frankly,
we do not feel any very great enthusiasm
on the subject except in the case of the
United States, and there we do not want to
see so much alliance as recognition of the
bond of kinship. We want merely the ac-
ceptance of the principle that 10 matter
how different may be their interests and as
pirations, brothers in blood will never de-
sert each other in the hour of supreme need.
We want England and America each to
feel what we firmly believe to be fact, that
if either gets its back to the wall the other
will come to it's help, no matter what the
cause of the quarrel
THE QUEENS CHRISTMAS
Queen Victoria on Friday transferred the
court from Windsor to Osborne, Isle OF
Wight
The anniversary of the death of the Prince
Corsort, who died December II, 1861, was
scrupulously observed on Wednesday. The
memorial service at the Frogmore mauso-
lellm was attended by the Queen, the Prince
of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of York and
the entire royal family, each member plac-
ing a wreath on Prince Alberts sarcopha-
gus.
The Queen is enjoying particularly good
health at present. She has been busy buy
ing Christmas gifts, which were taken to
Windsor Castle for her selection. Her Maj
esty makes 1t a point, in choosing presents,
to see that her gifts are peculiarly suitable
to each OF her innumerabe relatives or
friends. The Prince and Princess of Wales
and the Duke and Duchess of York have
been visiting the stores in the West End OF
London and have frequently been seen gaz-
ing in store windows and choosing Christmas
purchases.
Society is already discussing the Spring
drawing rooms. The queen will personally
hold one or two and the others will be pre-.
SIDED over by the Princess Christian and
the Duchess of Connaught, the Princess OF
Wales not being available, owing to the fact
that she is i'll deep mourning. Princess Mar
faret OF Connaught, who will be IL years of
age in January, will be the only royal debu-
tante.
A PERSIAN PRINCELING
Prince Malik Mansur Mira Shua, second
son of the Shah of Persia, young man
about 10 years Of age, is coming to Eng
lana in January. His visit has not aroused
particular enthusiasm, in view of the ex-
pellences resulting from previous visits OF
Persian royalties. The manners of Prince
Nalk, who is described as diminutive,
weakly youth, are, however, said to be pleas
ant and he is fairly well cultured
A CONSUMPTION CURE
There has been great deal of talk re,
Gently of the need of some lvidespread notion