The record-union., 1898-12-18
The Sensation Of the Week In Political
Circles at London.
The Party Quite Divided on the
Subject of Harcourt's Successor
-Asquith, 1t Is Asserted. Can
Have the Place if He Will Con-
sent to Sacrifice His Large Prac-
tice at the Bar.

J
LONDON, Dec. 1.-THE sensation OF
the political week has been Sir Will
lam Vernon Harcourt's trap-door exit
from the front Of the Liberal stage,
which has left his party in broken
winged condition, and it Is very Gear,
from the speech delivered at yester-
days meeting of the National Liberal
Federation, that the rank and file are
not seriously displeased with what is
regarded in the light Of desertion.
The letters of Sir William Vernon
Harcourt reveal that a state of intrigue
and internal division has existed in in
ner circles for the past year. But the
Liberal organs and speakers emphatl-
cally deny that there was any desire
to supp!ant him.
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 prefer
ence for Mr.. Morley, Mr.. Asquith and
Sir Hnery Campbell Bannerman, Mr..
Asquith, perhaps, having slight lead,
and if he consented to sacrifice his big
practice at the bar, which is inconsist-
ent 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
"Freeman's Journal hits home when
it says: THE Liberal wisemen for
years past have been lecturing the
Irishmen on the subject of dissensions,
which they give as justification for the
appointment of home rule. But they
completely ignored the beam in their
eye"
It is doubtful if a more business like,
hard working body than the American
Peace Commission, which sailed to-day
for New York on board the American
Line steamship ST Louis from South
ampton, ever represented the United
States abroad The Americans are
greatly indebted in adj stages 20 the
training of Professor Moore, Secretary
of the United States Commission, who
participated in the conferences, and
whose good advoce was often a de-
Gliding factor in weighty problems. The
American Commissioners also say a
compliment was paid to Arthur Fer
guSon, the interpreter attached to our
commission, by the Spaniards, who, al
though 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
Spanish Commission, seized Mr.. Fer
guson's hands, and in a courtly Span
ish manner, exclaimed: II am sure
you must have a fellow feeling for
Spaniards, for you speak our language
not only with the head, but with the
heart"
Mr.. Ferguson is gifted with a Won
derful memory He would listen to a
speech ten or twenty minutes long
and would then repeat it's substance
in either language. The accuracy Of
his translations was never questioned
The American Commissioners return
with their eyes opened in regard to the
understanding. They
like the majority Of Americans, ar
rived 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 prints
America is almost as much criticised
here as on the Continent. British poll
ticians and business men recognize the
fact that the understanding or alli-
ance with America is highly desirable
But to pretend, as many of the news
papers now do, that it is based on kim
ship, is absurd to anyone in a position
to hear the daily comments, both pri-
vate and public, of the people of Eng
land