Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-03-26
THE END /?
This is the Question that Is
Troubling England
IMPERIAL FEDERATION
How 10 Treat the Rebel Prise
oners in South Africa is
Another Question

London, March 26.-Three questions
involving endless controversy and specu'
lation have been rife during the week.
They are the possibility of the dissolu-
ton of parliament in the summer, impe-
rial federation and the method Of treat
ment of the so called rebel prisoners in
South Africa. So far as parliament is
concerned it might as well dissolve at
once for all the interest that is being
taken in it's proceedings. Many appar-
entity inspired articles appear forecasting
dissolution at various dates, but as
matter Of fact the existence Of the pres
ent house depends entirely upon the prog
ress of British arms in South Africa. If
they meet with quick success, there will
be, it is thought, an early dissolution. ii
the war drags on, Lord Salisbury will re-
tain power till the last moment allowed
by the British constitution.
Waiting For Right Moment.
With less than year in which to 60 to
the country it is only natural that the
government will seize the most opportune
moment, but no member of the cabinet
believes that such moment has yet come
within the limits of reasonable determi-
nation, in spite of the fact that the COM
mander in chief of the forces. Lord VOL
seley. is credited with prophesying that
Lord Roberts will be in Pretoria May To-
If the forecast Of the almost forgotten
chief commander of the British army
should prove correct, it would not be at
all unlikely that Lord Salisbury would
appeal to the electors in June. But sew
eral Of the cabinet ministers, including
Lord Lansdowne. the secretary of state
for war, have small hope that the war
will be over before the fall of this year.
With such n diversion of opinion pre-
vaiing in the best informed circles re-
garding the duration of the conflict it is
evidently futile to prophesy regarding the
tenure of the present government. The
latter is obviously dependent upon the for
mer. Lord Salisbury has not any inten-
ton of appealing to the voters until the
British arms triumph in South Africa.
and no one of any Importance has yet
been brave enough to declare over his
own name when SUCH IN event is likely to
be accomplished. Hence the guesses at
the date of dissolution Of parliament are
scarcely worth repeating, though by rea-
son of their number and variety some OF
them are almost bound to he correct.
Liberal Party Shattered.
When the general election comes, it can
scarcely fail to return the present adj
minstration to power unless between this
time and that period some miracle affects
the cohesion of the Liberal party. So
disintcgrated does this party appear to
be that Sir Edward Grey. the shining
light of the Rosebery faction, found it
necessary last week when speaking at the
City Liberal club, London, to protest that
internal dissension was no just cause for
the death of the basic Liberal principles.
1t is Il curious travesty upon truth that
imperial federation and the formation of
some great council of the empire have
been more brought to public notice by
Sir Wilfrid Laurier. the Canadian pre-
mier in his speech at Ottawa than even
by the presence in London of the fedora
ton delegates from Australia. punch's
chief cartoon last week was devoted to
depicting Sir Wilfrid Laurier in pleasing
contrast with Sir Wilfrid Lawson, the
English Liberal who insists that the war
is not justified. Yet those who know the
Inducements thoroughly are well aware
that the Canadian prcmier's attitude and
unwillingness to send out Canadian
troops caused the colonial Office more
anxiety than almost any recent occur
renee.
However, the imperial federation
movement grows daily. The imperial
federation committee has secured from
Lord Salisbury Il promise to seriously
consider it's proposals for an imperial
council to watch over the interests of the
empire as a whole. On all sides articles
appear debating the ways and means by
which the colonies who have participated
in the defense of the empire may have a
voice in its councils. What difficulties
stand in the way of this are apparent
from the proceedings of the Australian
delegates daily visiting the colonial Of
flee in the interests Of their federation
bill All sorts of unexpected bitches
have come up. and it is feared the fed
GRAFTON may have to be submitted nd
referendum to the Australian people in
consequence of the changes which, after
closer inspection by the imperial authori-
ties. appear necessary, though the bill
has already been passed by Australia,
and the referendum would delay action
for almost a re"r-
Inc question OF the colonial prisoners
from being the subject Of cable mes
sages exchanged between Lord Sails
bury and President Kruger has sprung
into general discussion. In this connec-
ton it is understood that President Kru-
ger set the ball rolling by demanding
that colonial insurgents and British sub
jects Communicated by the Beers should
when captured be treated as prisoners OF
war or else reprisals would be taken on
the British prisoners at Pretoria. Lord
Salisbury replied, saying he would deal
with the rebels as seemed fit and would
hold President Kruger personally rcspon-
sible for the treatment of the Pretoria
prisoners, whereupon President Kruger
is reported to have rejoined that he would
hold Lord Salisbury personally RESPONSE
BILE for the rebels or something of that
nature.