Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1898-12-19
THE TALK OF EUROPE.
'Iarcourt's Retirement From the Lib
eral Leadership.
THE CZAR'S PEACE SCHEME.
william T. Stead, After an Interview
With His Majesty, Tells of the
Plans of the RefOrmers-PrO-
posals For Aiding the Work.

London, Dec 19.-The sensation of the
political week has been Sir William
Vernon Harcourt's trapdoor exit from
he front of the Liberal stage, which has
eft his party in a broken winged con-
lition, and it is very clear from the
speeches delivered at the meeting of the
National Liberal federation that the
tank and file are seriously displeased
with what is regarded in the light OF
iesertion. The letters of Sir William
Vernon Harcourt reveal that a state of
Intrigue and internal division has exist
ell 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 Liberals seem quite divided on
the subject of Sir Williams successor,
and the tone Of their press is marked by
an embarrassing conflict of preferences
for Mr.. Morley, Mr.. Asquith and Sir
Henry Campbell Bannerman. Mr.. AS
luith perhaps having slight lead, and
f he consented to sacrifice his big prac-
ice at the bar which is inconsistent
With the duties of the Liberal leader
hip. he would undoubtedly be selected.
IciI COQll Will leIlldlIl d plIN dtC lllCIipCl
# the party, and as soon as the Lib
erals come into power will receive a
ieerage and practically retire from par
amentary life The Irish members of
'arliament affect to be highly pleased
at the dsorganizaton of the Liberal
party
The Peace Commission.
1t is doubtful if more businesslike,
lard working body than the American
oeace commission, which sailed for New
York on board the American line
steamer st. Louis from Southampton,
ever represented the United States
abroad. On the arrival of the commits
sioners at Paris they Immediately set
tied down to work. Between the joint
meetings the Americans spent their
days comforting in regard to their poll
cies. These conferences developed wide
differences the quintet of commission
els 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 Amer
leans are greatly indebted in all stages
to the learning of Professor Moore, sec
rotary of the United States commission,
who participated in the conferences and
whose advice was often deciding fac
tor in weighty problems
The American commissioners also say
a high compliment was paid to Mr.. Ar
thur Ferguson, the Interpreter attached
to our commission, by the Spaniards,
who, although he was an American at
tache, trusted him to represent both
parties. After the treaty was signed
and when the farewells were being eX
changed Senior Montero Rios. president
Of the Spanish commission, seized Mr.
Ferguson's hands and in courtly
Spanish 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
remarkable memory. He would listen
to speech 10 to 20 minutes long and
would then repeat it's substance in the
other language. The accuracy of his
translations was never questioned.
The American commissioners return
to the United States 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 kept in public speech
es and pulr,'c prints America is almost
as much or CiStI ! O. = as on tho CONT
nent. Prit.s.l -colit clans and business