The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-07
Efforts to Heal the Dissensions
Are Being Made by the
Leaders.
.AsouI1H FAvoRs ANNEXATION
Some Liberals Believe the Beers
Should Be Given Complete and
Unfettered Independence,
but They Are Few.

London. Saturday, July 6.-Strenuous eff
forts are being made to heal the dissensions
OF the Liberal party. For that purpose a
meeting Of Liberal members is to be held at
the Reform Club on Tuesday afternoon. The
meeting has been summoned by Mr.. Herbert
Gladstone. the chief Liberal whip.
Sir Henry Campbeil.Bannerman. will, of
course, preside, and all sections Of the party
will attend. 1t Is hoped a unanimous vote
of confidence will be carried.
Sir Henry's personal popularity il very
ereat. He Is the most genial Of men and
has the saving grace Of humor. which re-
moves 80 many obstacles from the pathway
of life
The evening party at his house on We'd
nesday evening brought together Liberals
OF all persuasions to show there was moth
ing personal in the differences Of opinion
which exist.
On Tuesday last Cir Henry addressed a
great conference of Liberals at Southamp-
ton. Though Interruptions had been threat
ened, none occurred. He met with the most
enthusiastic reception, and delivered one of
the best speeches he ever made in his life
At the same time. II il useless to deny that
the Liberals are still agitated by dissen-
sions about the origin Of the war or to pre-
tend that they have been put aside.
Lord Kimberley, whose authority as
with that Of Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-
man, has not yet quite recovered from his
long and serious illness. SO that his wise
counseis and varied experience have not
been fully available.
Sir Henry for nearly two years has done
his best. at sacrifice of his own strong
convictions to avoid schism among his
followers. His object has not been obtained.
He has now spoken out. So has Mr.. As
Quith. who Is equally sincere and has been
equally reticent. The ostensible cause OF
Mr.. Asquith's declaration is not. however.
Sir Henry's protest against the policy and
methods Of continuing the war. but Mr..
! John Morleys casual remark that some.
but not all. of the Liberals who originally
| supported the war, had changed their
minds.
The great party could not make itself
| ridiculous by quarreling over this single
phrase. even when uttered by SO distin-
guished q statesman as Mr.. Morley. Mr..
AsQuith, indeed, has changed his mind, but
in the other way. Whereas he was against
annexation. he is now In favor of It.
No one who knows Mr.. Asquith will be-
lieve for a moment he Is bidding for the
| leadership or trying to Gust Sir Henry
Campbell Bannerman. He is simply the
ablest spokesman the Liberal Imperialists
| could find. They urged him to express the
views held by them.
i EOT tne moment the OutDTcdh OF the StOfIl
has cleared the air. When honest men speak
| their minds their mutual respect Is often
increased. but the future is dark and doubt
| full.
The Liberal whips. who, like the presi-
| dent of the party, differ about the war. have
done their best to stop the Asquith dinner.
but hitherto have not succeeded.
Among the most eager promoters is Sir
| Edward Grey. the ablest man Of his genera
| tion in the Commons.
Sir Edward Grey has never concealed his
| belief that the war was forced upon Eng
| land by Kruger. He Is an enthusiastic Mil
nerite. He is not personally ambitious. and
| would rather 90 out of politics than submit
! to any compromise Of his opinions He and
Mr. Asquith are assisted by Mr.. Holdane,
| the most good-natured Of men. and the
| friend Of all parties, and all persons who
delight in an innocent form Of lobbying
and bringing people together who would
| sometimes be quite as we'll apart.
The return of Lord Miner must not be
| neglected in forming an estimate of the
| situation. The High Commissioner is natur-
ally most anxious to secure support for his
policy while he Is at home. He has many
| Liberal acquaintances.
do not think these conditions favorable
| to the unification of Liberalism, but at the
| same time there Is a ray Of hope. This wal
| cannot last forever, and after the war must
| come the settlement No Liberal has. so far
| as l am aware, committed himself to the re-
oulrement of unconditional surrender from
| the Beers. It is, therefore, question with
Liberals what terms should be offered and
accepted.
There are some Liberals or Radicals who
would give the oI3ers Al absolute. COM
plete. ,unfettered Independence. but they are
| comparatively few. The great majority
agree with Sir Henry Campbell Bannermar
that when the military occupation ceases
l It should be followed by federal home rule
| within the Empire. Those who ought ts
know, say such a proposal would at once
end the war. ~
The Government processes to have recent
| information that nothing short Of independ.
ence would satisfy the burghsrs.
There is a very simple way Of settling the
question.
It IL yet possible that Liberals may unite
in demanding conditional, instead OF un-
| conditional. surrender.
| AP, sAaAa,A aannEn cnAn