The record-union., 1898-10-13
A FLAG is PORTABLE.
OF GREAT BRIT
AIN ROSEBERY.
Makes Statement Relating to the
Conditions Existing on the
Upper Nile.

LONDON, Oct. 12-Lord Rosebery,
the Liberal leader and former Prime
Minister, presiding at an agricultural
dinner at EPSON, referred to the crit
ical situation on the Upper Nile. He
said:
AS I was responsible, both person
ally and ministerially, for the declara
ton of Sir Edward Grey, on which the
present policy in Fashoda is founded,
and as l have no disposition to recede
from a word or a syllable of that
declaration Qoud cheer9 1 feel bound
to say few guarded, and, 1 hope, in
offensive words on a subject so vital
to our interests.
Behind the policy of the Government
in this matter there is the untiring
and united strength of the nation. No
Government that attempted to recede
from it or falter Herewith would last
week. Her majesty's political advis
ers have only to maintain the attitude
revealed in the blue book, and the IA
ton will make any sacrifice and go to
any length to sustain their action.
'On the other side of the channel the
question of the flag is an element of
great gravity. We all honor that flag,
and would not wish it the slightest dis
respect. But, after all, a flag is, porta-
BILE, and 1 have some hope that the
flag in tits case is not the flag of
France, but Of an individual explorer,
and not. therefore, carrying the full
weight of the Republic behind it.
Among the reassuring features is
the fact that NJ del Case (the French
Minister of Foreign Affairs has re-
ceived the representatives of Great
Britain in a conciliatory spirit. BY de-
nying the existence Of a Marchand
mission he has deprived Major March
and of the official character which
would give the hosting Of the flag a
much more serious aspect
After mentioning the untenability of
Major Marchand's isolated position
Lord Rosebery said: These considera-
tons lead me to hope that the Incl
dent will be practically settled in a con-
ciliatory manner, but France must I'M
derstand that there can be no compro-
mise of the rights of Egypt"
Referring in conclusion to the gen
eral disposition in recent years to treat
Great Britain as a negligible quantity,
and to infringe upon her rights in vari-
Gus parts of the world. he said: THE
present Government has shown no want
Of conciliation-son think too much.
If the nations of the world are under
the impression that the ancient spirit
of Great Britain is dead; that her re-
sources are weakened, and that her
population is less determined than ever
to maintain her rights and the honor
Of her flag, they make mistake that
can only end in disastrous confasra-
ton. The strength of British Minis
tries does not lie in the votes they
can command in Parliament, but in the
intrepid spirit of a united people. Let
other nations remember that cordiality
between nations can only rest upon
mutual respect for one another's rights.
Both Africa and Asia have recently
furnished strange object lessons in in
ternational law and international prac-
tice. If that mutual respect be not
cultivated. we shall ultimately relapse
into a state of things most perilous to
peace and the welfare of humanity"
The speech was punctuated with loud
cheers.