The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-15
LONDON news and GOSSIP
The Government Alive to the Needs
of National Defence.
A Reorganization of the Army Also
Viewed rs an Early Necessity-The
Attitude of the Liberals-ihe He
call of General Gatncre-Dewey
Preferred in England to Bryan.

LONDON. April 1.-THE work Of the
parliamentary session up TO the adjourn
ment for the Easter recess is apparently
viewed with satisfaction by both political
parties. The session now half finished was
bound to be one of warlike measures and
debates. Money has been voted ungrudg-
ingly, and as a result of checks and dis
asters at the seat OF war and uncompromis-
ing opposition and criticism at home. the
Government has awakened to a due sense
of its responsibility with respect to the re-
organization of the army The imperative
desirability of an amended scheme of ma
uOnal defence. thorough oyerhauling and
remodeling of the army, the unification of
the regular and volunteer forces and a
more efficient equipment for home and for
eign service, is admitted on all hands The
scheme is yet in embryo but IL will be de
veloped as far as possible alongside the
prosecution of the war. and viii not be al
lowed TO drop out OF view when the war is
over
During the session, too, the Opposition
has become more and more impressed with
the necessity for a deiuitive aim and a
definite programme. Whereas Sir II.
Campbell Bannerman and his supporters
were inclined at the opening of the session
TO sit on the fence and await events, their
disposition now is to declare themselves,
and some of them, like Sir Edward Grey
and Mr.. Bryce. have done so with no little
clearness.
The New Imperial Council.
Following Mr.. Bryce's statement of his
position last week. the new Imperial Lib
eral Council held its first general meeting
on Tuesday. The council is composed OF
Liberals DESTROYS OF promoting a large and
efficient development of the British COM
Inonwealth on liberal lines both within
and without the British islands. and while
adhering to the traditional principles of
the party and being in full sympathy with
an advanced policy of socia! reform on
broad and generous lines. members are
impressed with the duty of maintaining a
free. unaggressive, and tolerant empire
abroad Mr.. r. W. Perks, NJ p. a lead
ing NOncOnformist, was in the chair, and
set forth the desires of the council which
were not to bring into being new section
of Liberalism, but 10 maintain Liberalism
in the old free. tolerant form.
He specially insisted on the circum-
stance that whatever the opinion of party
leaders and agents might be as to the at
titude Of the Liberal electors toward
reasonable imperial policy, the time had
come when the fair fame of liberalism
must De re-established on the old solid
foundation. Otherwise the party might
expect relegation TO the place of the
Opposition in Parliament for an indefinite
period.
The view that IL Liberalism is to reas-
sert Itself. it must follow the lines indi-
Gated, is not new. but the fact of its more
general acceptance. and particularly of its
being laid down as a working principle
by an important Liberal organization
shows that the experience OF the past ses-
sion has not been wasted.
Two significant events I'm connection
with the war are the recall OF General