New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-18
WHAT LONDON TALKS ABOUT.

London, December II.
THE LIBERAL LEADERsHIP.-The sensation
OF the political week has been Sir William Vernon
Harcourts trapdoor exit from the front Of the Lib
eral stage, which has left his party In broken
winged condition: and 1t Is very clear from the
speeches delivered at yesterdays meeting OF the
National Liberal Federation that the rank and file
are seriously displcascd with what is regarded in
the light Of descr,ion The letters OF Sir William
Vernon Harcourt reveal that state OF intrigue
and internal division has existed In inner Liberal
circles for the last year. But the Liberal organs
and speakers emphaticay deny that there was any
desire to supplant him. Now the Liberal organs
openly give Sir William piece Of their mind. The
Speaker as mouthpece Of the party. says:
Neither the tone nor the actual language OF Sir
William Harcourt or Mr.. Morley what we had
the right to expect from them They have been
garded as shining examples. and we are sorry that
they have now fallen short OF their own repua-
ton
DR.. Spence Watson the great "wre-puller' Of
the party. Is even more unkind Referring 10 Sir
William Vernon Harcourt's letter OF resignation
he remarked snappishly:
There is no such Office as leader Of the Liberal
party
The Liberals seem quite divided on the subject OF
Sir Williams successor and the tone of their press
Is marked by embarrassing conflict Of prefer
ences for Mr. Morley. Mr.. Asquith and Sir Henry
Campbell Bannerman. Mr.. Asqui.h. perhaps. hav-
Ing slight lead. and II he consented to sacrifice
his big practice at the bar which is Inconsistent
with the duties Of the Liberal leadership. he would
undoubtedly be selected. Sir William Will remain
private member of the parry. and as soon the
Liberals come into power he will receive a peerage
and practically retire from Parliamentary life.
The Irish members Of Parliament AFFECT to be
highiy pleased at the Decentralization Of the Lib
eral party. The Freeman's Journal hits home
when 1t says:
:, The Liberal wise men FOR years have been lect-
which they gave ns justification FOR their postpone
ment OF nome rule. But they completely ignored
the beam In their own eye
1.-THE Freemans Journal then declared that the
disruption Of the Liberals enormously enhances the
power OF the united Irish party. las 1t prevents
such a triumph OF the hostile elements In the LIB
eral party as 10 render them Independent OF Irish
power"
IN SUPPORT OF THE CzAR-The movement
In favor Of an international demonstration in sup
port OF the Cars peace conference is taking prac-
teal shape In Great Britain and IL attracting much
sympathy from the Queen and other members OF
the royal family who are said 10 be aware OF the
entire sincerity OF the Car public conference
has been summoned TO take place tomorrow at
ST. Jamess Hall by the heads OF all the religions.
II Will be presided by representative OF the
Bishop of London. Mr.. Stead will explain the views
of the Car and the proposed international move
ment and will read letters from A. J. Balfour
leader in the House Of Commons: James Bryce.
Leonard Courtney. the Rev. Joseph Parker Ear
Spencer and others heartily indorslrg the move
ment Mr.. Balfour writes:
see you claim your scheme will draw still closer o;
the bonds of union between the English-speaklng
peoples, promote a better understanding between
them and the slayonic races; and naugurate an
kind are even a fraction Of what you hope. it is
surely worthy Of international sympathy.
Mr. Stead. writing in The Associated Press, says:
have seen the Car have heard from his own
prracticai should be done. and that quickly III
vert the service of humanity some OF the many
He has taken the initiative In snmmonins, he HE
sincerity by arrestng the future increase Of Rus
sian b sa unss ns Is as TWe a..
those who groan under its burdens his weN-hesh'
endeavor will fail. -, . -
fatal a caastrophs AS the greatest and latest latest
born Of the world Powers they can they Sh2 from
being sacrificed by Tie sceptcal apathy OF the gov,
ern@ents. But 10 do this 1T Will be necessary to
Wha na is hoped for by those friends of and
between now ana the end Of January the citizens
20 ns and By method
whereby democratic people gives expressions to
TO the world their determinaton 70 help the Gar
to this thng through, ,hs N PsaSe cSnerenc
with local committees in every city in the Union
would DO much to achieve th d end are much
greater owing to the sepsefsf PTeH erscy S q ths
Hrnean War. such a national committee Is al,
ready in course Of formation: BY the end OF next
month 1t is expected that mere vii, n9' will vi NOT not
have had its public meeting demanding tna, en- me-
getc support should be given to the RUSSIAN P'O-
These proposals stated briefly are fTs tor S
there should be declared a truce or Goa TOT HHc
years Second-That. during that period he co. IN
ernments should not increase 'ne hy them at
sha inference as the maximum of their needs
ThlrdNThat some international agreement snouiu
II usp Pc hind them always TO invite the media
ton of neutral Powers before appealing 10 inc
ST From the Old Country the United lie m ssS S
there will then ring forth the cry 81 w wh h the
friends OF peace In England confidently eaIcuIaa.
is that this aPpea IN Sne T ready and 6e to
rosnond nd If So the grandest demonstration eve, ever
made Of the pe v Se nitkin our reach joint
AncIo-American deputation OF, say fifteen NM n,,r
ana hye With the mandate proceed through
Turope on pilgrimage Of peace TO prefoh al, ~ ~
Dr. o. II Would affirm the unity OF the English
speaking and demonstrate 'in' II NM ~ n The
cause g Of peace Round the Anglo American dePH
tation would group tsemse|e odn small states
sweden. Norway. Denmark Holland a beK RniiI
Switzerland and n an ,Ssre
ments the great international delegation wons
LII "a crusade through Europe In iour w.rks
i neeln ~, hove shaken the Continent from centre
10 circumference
r,.Nrr AID ITAIY.-The Franco-ltaiian
,roo,v ~ commerce is be followed by v'-it OF
the Prince Of Naples to Paris. and the Visit OF
King Humbert and his wife 10 Sardinla IN 10 900
80, ,viII give France opportunity 10 eihphhtlHr
Ne yyecent rapprochement by sending a squadron
.nc aIrte Them They will also be invited 10 WISH
the Exposition or lS".
SPURIOUS MASTERPIECES.-The police OF
prusseIs have unearthcd mandatory where
,,,tous masterpieces of ell the foremost modern
artists have been produced. SeNerai iaise "i''''
narr. .tc wore seized. They are all excellent
i'ai.a inns The sharperS alnnssed IVV.VW iIhhrr