The age-herald., 1898-12-18
HARCOURT' ACT WAS DISSIPATION Liberals IncensPd At His Resig- nation of Leadership SENSATION OF THE WEEK State ofIntrigue and Internal Dis- Sensions in Party Circles.
  TIE SUCCESSOR :>sIR WILLIAM
 7s. VI Yet in Doubt, T!S' @i Many Candidates Are cogs to the Front.
Yet in Doubt, I!$ Many Candidates
 Are Cors < to the Front.
HIP FOR AMERICA
Exists Among Englishmen Outside of Politicians, Who Know an Alliance Would Promote British Interests
 Throughout the World.

London, December 17-The sensation of the present week has been Sir William Ver- non Harcourt's trap door exit from the front of the liberal stage, which has left the party in a broken winged condition, and it is very clear from the speeches delivered at yesterdays meeting of the National Lib eral Federation, that the rank and file ara seriously displeased with what is regarded in the light of desertion.
 The letters of Sir Vim. Vernon Harcourt reveal that a state of intrigue and internal dissension have existed in those circles for the past year. But the liberal organs and speakers emphatically deny that there was any desire to supplant him. Now the liber- al organs openly give Sir William piece of their mind. The Speaker, as mouthpiece of the party, says:
 "Neither the tone nor the actual language of Sir William Harcourt MT. Morley arc what we had the right to expect from them. They have been regarded as shining examples. and we are sorry they have now fallen short of their reputation"
 The Liberals Divided
 The liberals seem quite divided on the subject of Sir Williams successor, and the tone of their press is arked by an embar- rassing conflict of preferences for MT. Mor- ley, MT. Asquith and Sir Henry Campbell- Zimmerman, MT. Asquith perhaps having a slight lead, and if he consented to sacrifice his big practice at the bar, which is incon- sistent with the duties of the liberal leader, he would undoubtedly be elected.
 Harcourt will remain private member of the party, and as soon as the liberals come
 
 practically retire from parliamentary life.
 The Irish members of parliament affect to be highly pleased at the Reorganization of the liberal party The Freeman's Journal hits home when 1t says: "The liberal wise men for years past have been featuring the Irshmen on the subject of dssension which they gave as justification for their post ponement of home rule. But they complete ly ignored the beam in their own eye"
 The Frecman's Journal then declared that the disruption of the liberals enhances the power of the united Irish party, 'as 1t prevents such triumph of the hostile ele- ments in the liberal party as to render them independent of Irish power."
 A Business-LiLs Body
 hard-working body than the American peace commission which sailed this after noon for New York on board the American liner St. Louis, from Southampton ever represented the united states abrOadsn On the arrival of the commissioners at Paris they immediately settled down to work. Between the joint meetings the Americans spent their days conferring in regard to their policies. These conferences developed wide differences, the quintette of commis- sioners representing every shade of opinion on the policy of expansion. Sometimes the meetings were almost stormy; but our commissioners always presented a solid front to the Spaniards.
 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 the Americans, arrived in Europe with the idea that sentimental, fraternal love for American prevailed all over Great Britain. They return with the knowledge that sx- cept in public speeches and public places America Is almost as much criticised here as on the continent British politicians and public men have recognized the fact that an understanding or alliance with America is highly desirable. But to pre- tend, as many of the newspapers do, that this is based on kinship is absurd to any one in position to hear the daily cons ments, both private and public, of the peo- pie of England.