The Portland daily press., 1900-05-10
Ireland Referred
Disloyal.
Nation Urged to b. Ready for
War.

HabitatioH Of the Primrose League was
held In Albert hall this afternoon. The
Marquis Of Salisbury, Grand Master, pre-
sided and received an ovation. Lord
Salisbury during the course Of his 3D.
dress commented ON the remarkable
change which had taken piacs In
the latter half Of ths century In
the views Of the people regarding the
empire. They formerly repellsd IT. he
SAID. as . burden and that doctrine was
carried to such extremes by that man Of
splendid genius, GLADSTONE. that 10 pro-
dueed . strong reaction. whion started
after the disaster Of Msjuba Hill and the
death of Gen. Gordon. The death OF
Gordon, no continued. had been avenged.
Perhaps 1t was too soon to say the great
humiliation OF Majuba had been snscsd
or that the great wrong had been righted.
But they felt they were on the road to
accomplish that end.
The Premier next referred TO the difn-
cult Irish problem and said. "Mr. Glad
stone. in an evil moment for the fame Of
the country and for his party, attached
himself 10 the idea Of the separation OF
England and Ireland. II In unnecessary
70 say that the legacy 10 she Primrose
Lsagus has also failed. There has been
q long struggle but no one can say the
home rule cause presents any elements
Of sanguine anticipation for the future.
am still assured that there 10 no hope
Of the predominant partner ever consent
ing to give Ireland practical indepen-
denoe. We have learned something from
the South African war. We now know
better than we did ten years ago what Q
risk 1t would be II We gave q disloyai
government In Ireland the power Of ao-
cumulating forces against this country.
"Mr. Gladstone shattered his own
party so that for the moment they are
erased and q powerlsss factor In English
politics. But 10 must not be imagined
that the placement 10 likely to be psrma-
nent."
The Premier contiuueds thereafter
external affairs will OCCUPY consider
ably larger place among the problems We
have to solve. Not necessarily because In
themselves they are more important nut
II we look around we can sss the sls-
ments and causes of menace and peril
slowly accommodating and they may &C.
oumulate to such . point a. to require
our earnest and most active efforts TO
repeal them.
al am nervous at using Language Of
such a kind, Lest 1t should be thought j
am indicating that something 10 known
20 the foreign office BY pointing out this
possible danger. But wish most en-
phntioally to say have no idea OF that
kind. The state OF affairs as know 10.
and SO far a. the government IL CON.
earned Is peaceful. It 10 impossible to
speak ton highly Of the careful. calm
neutrality which has been observed by all
the governments of the world"
The Prsmisr's remarks were greeted
with loud cheers
Continuing Lord Salisbury said: "a
certain section of their subjects, not ! hope,
q very large. though q very noisy one.
has at the present moment great prsju-
dice against this country. 1t does moi,
however, follow that we have no prscau-
tions to take.
Governments may come and 60 and
feelings may change from year TO year.
That root OF bi,tsrness against England.
which am unable to explain, may be
mere caprice to satisfy she exigenciss Of
journalists today or 1t may indicate q
deep seated feeling which later, We may
have to reckon with. There can be no
NOR confidence In the feelings or
sympathy Of other nations excspt through
the efficiency Of their own defence and
the strength Of their own right arm.
Everywhere the power Of defense il In
crsasing and who knows but all thess
things may be united in one great wave
to dash upon our shorest"
The premier then urged the necessity
Of preeaution In time. rsmarking that
the material fog military aggrssaion was
yearly increasing In power and efficiency
among everyone Of the great nations.
sin every race In history the great