The Portland daily press., 1900-02-16
Russia's Movements
Discussed by Lords.
Nothing Gained by Taking
Gloomy View Says Salisbury.

London, February l5.-In the House OF
Lords today the Earl of Dunraven raised
n questio, on the government minttry
proposals and expressed doubt as 10
whether thes, were sufficient.
The Earl Of Roseberry said he tuiy
recognized the gravity OF tine Situation
and agreed with the previous speaker In
thinking that tine measures adopted were
ioadeu uats In the circumstances, He also
doubted whether the paper force
4O9OJO men In GIelt Britain" to WHEN
tie score tary of stats for war had refsrrsd
would stand anslysis. For tbs volunteers
Lord Rose, cry said he had the higfet
rsspect; but by no stretch Of the imagi-
nation could they bs called soldiers as
It was admitted that they nseied months
OF training annually to render them e'hc-
lent.
"Ihs crisis In South Africa Ia Urgent,
continued Lord Roseberry, "but we
must not keep our eyes upon South Aft
CA alone. Last December the govern
mept made vigorous overtures to the two
great powers. Germany and tae United
g.,
tares were net received with such cordi-
Atty as to encourage the government to
pursue them. 1t does not appear that
the friendship Of France would bear
any great strain; and. as to Russia,
events have besn recently Witnessed in
Persia about which England formerly
would have bad some thing to sag. but
whiohsnow she passes unnoticed.
cit te.omes the government to take
lar g grnp Cf tie 1t at on I'd to m ks
adequate pToposalh Ii Great Britain
were to lose South Afiioa abe would lose
the most import int base outside Of the
United Kingdom and she would Use thai
colonial support which has bean given
because the colonies have believed that
they were assooiatiug themselves with
a powerful empire; and thus the empire
would breIk away from US. II this be
not life and death crisis, do not know
what is."
The Earl OF Kimberley, the Liberal
leader, said he felt the danger of the silt
uation equally with Lord Rcssberry.
Although he would not ascribe direct
hostile intention to Russia at the pres
emit moment he said that he could net
overlook the fact that there was move
men. of troops In progress, which II not
menscing, showed possibilities OF the
future that were not absent from the Rus
sian mind.
The Marquis of Salisbury. the Premier.
in the course of hi, reply, for the govern
ment, s.id:
az cannot enter upon the springs that
guide the Russian government or the
course it Ia likely to take; nor can dig
cuss the health OF the Anne er Of Afghanis-
tan. As to whether sur forces are ads-
quats for the work in South Africa, or
whether 1t is true that the government
have always teen too late and have ne
elected opportunities. 1 would gladly
accept q challenge, provided the words
would not 60 bsyond this chamber. The
present troubles are not due to the ex-
pansion of the empire. but to mlscalcul,-
lions made In 1881 and 1884. Our faith
ers we're not discouraged by bad begin
nings and we should follow their example
and not be cast DOWN. The government
il convinced now. as 1t always las been
that the issue will be brought to o sue
oessful conclusion. do not think any
advantage is to be obtained from TAX ing
gloomy view" -.-..,s -.aas--ra.. ~-r d
The House having gone into committee
Of supplementary war estimates, MIR.
William Redmond, nationalist, strongly
objected to adding a single man to the
British army, which. he said. was now
"engaged In war which Is an insult to
God, a war waged by Christian Bingham
against a Christian people who only de-
sire to retain their own land"
He declared his belief that the British
reverse were due to the fact that the
British cause was unjust.
Mr.. John Burns, radical, secuted the
idea that 10 was necessary to strengthen
the British army In order to fight
country whose population was only equal
to that of his own constituency.
Mr.. wypdham. parliamentary under
secretary for war, answering criticisms
said 10 was unnecessary to reply to Mr..
William Rsdmond's argument because
the Irishmsn at the front wee giving the
answer with their lives.
At midnight the closure was enforced
and the division was taken. The govern
ment's military scheme was adopted by q
vote Of $3.50 again 81 "a. the minority con-
sistipg chiefly CT Irish members.
The debate In the Commons Was. on
to the less prominent members.