New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-16
A LIFE AND DEATH CRISIS.
GLOOMY VIEWS OF LIBERAL LEADERS
LORD SALISBURY ANSWERS THEM

LORD SALISBURY ANSWERS THEM.
London FEB 15-In the House Of Lords the
Earl Of Dunraven raised a question the Gov
ernment's military proposals, and expressed a
doubt as 70 whether these were sufficient
The Earl Of Rosebery said he fully recognized
the gravity Of the situation and agreed with the
previous speaker in thinking that the measures
adopted were inadequate in the circumstances.
He also doubted whether the paper force OF
1000 men in Great Britain" 10 which the Sec
rerarv Of State for War had referred. would
stand analysis For the volunteers Lord Rose
berry said he had the highest respect. but by no
stretch of the imagination could they be called
soldiers as it was admitted that they needed
months OF training annually 10 render them eff
cient. The speaker continued as follows;
The auspicious news OF the morning from
South Africa led 10 the hope that II ere Iaight
be better news TO come. but, when fighting on
our own territory have been unable before
TO advance an inch. and if another 10000 men
should be wanted for South Africa / do not
know where they would be got. II may be said
that il Is unwise TO lay bare the weaknesses or
the country. but, depend upon IT, other nations
know our position as we'll as, II not peter thah
ourselves.
would like TO ask whether the feet is TO be
strengthened or m0bIized. II is not a time
wren we can leisurely discuss what we are 60
Ing 10 do a fortnight or month hence. Ihe
crisis is urgent. The danger is upon you ana
q
proposals that in the month Of May when the
weather permits. you will put volunteers undeT
canvas and that then this island and Empire
viii be safe. (Cheers.)
The crisis in south Africa is urgent, but we
must not keep our eyes upon South AFRICA alone
Last December the Government maze Vigorous
oyertures to Two great Powers-CIernany and
the United States-for alliance, but those
C--er-77res -ara moi received with such cOrdlaliIy
as TO encourage the Government TO pursue them
Il does not appear that the friendship OF France
would bear any great strain. and. as 10 russia
events have been recently witnessed IN Persia
about which England formerly would have had
something to say, but which now she passes un-
noticed
grasp Of the situation and 10 make adequate
Time is Of the essence Of the situation. The
Government never realized II. but the Durghers
have: and the present situation in South AFRICA
has arisen from this fact Lord BlythsWood mas
referred TO the armies Of the Northern states
AZ the American Union in the Civil War and 10
the vast forces raised there WITHIN year some
one might reply that IN the United states a.
that time II was matter or lie ana oeaIH' anu
I would tell Her MaJestys Government no"
that il is for US a matter Of life and death
IF Great Britain were 10 lose South Al
-+ca she vUouId lose the most important base
outside Of the United Kingdom and sne "ould
lose that colonial support which has been given
because the colonies have believed that thty
We're associating themselves with a pG"eTLui -
empire and thus the empire would break AVA AVA
from US II this be not life and death Crisis l
do not know what IS
The Earl OF kimberley, l4lt 4-lJS d e-'o-
he felt the danger Of the situation equally with
Lord Rosebery. Although he would not ascrlDe
q direct hostile intention TO Russia at the pres
Ant moment he said that he could not overlook
the fact that there was q movement OF troops IN
progress which. II not menacing, showed possl-
bfIities OF the future that were not absent from
the Russian mind.
The Marquis Of Salisbury, the Premier in the
course Of his reply for the Government said:
7 cannot enter upon the springs that guide the
Russian Government or the course il is likely TO
- Iza-. nor can discuss the health OF the Ameer
Of Afghanistan As 10 whether our forces are
sda0lIsre for the work in South ATrlca or
Z3-befber il is true that the Government mas
aIvravs been too late and has neglected oppor-
r,,nities I would gladly accept challenge. pro-
z-i6ed the words would not go beyond this cham
her The Dresent troubles are not due 70 the eX-
mansion ~ the empire but 70 miscalculauons
made In 1881 and 1884 our forefathers were
nor discouraged by bad beginnings. ard we
sbouIT follow their example and not be cast
5Cvn The Government Is convinced now, as
il alwavs has been. that the issue VIII De
brought to a successful conclusion do not
think any advantage is 10 be obtained from tax
ing gloomy view