New-York tribune., 1901-10-26
NO LIBERAL MANIFESTO.
LITTLE LIKELIHOOD OF ANY AGITA-
TION ON THE SUBJECT OF GEN.
ERAL BULLER


London. Oct. 25.-The leaders of the Liberal
organization deny that any meeting of the Lib
eral leaders has been called. as cabled TO the
United States by news agency to consider the
advisability OF issuing a manifesto to the coun-
try calling the government to resign or call
special session of Parliament to discuss the
BOer war the dismissal of General Butler and
other matters. IL is generally considered that
the issuing of any Liberal manifesto would be
merely taking leaf out of Lord Kitchener's
humorous proclamation book and would be at
tended by about the same result An appeal TO
the government to call extra session of Par
lament would merely cause amusement. Sir
Henry Campbell -Bannerman. Mr.. Asquith and
Sir William Vernon Harcourt are too old parlia-
mentarians 10 employ any such futile means in
attempting 10 achieve their ends.
So far as stirring up an agitation on the sub
ject OF General Butler. II is undeniable that the
Liberal leaders. in common with the majority
Of the sober minded public and most OF the
army officers. believe that the War Office acted
correctly in retiring General Butler. though this
does not prevent criticism OF that officers pre-
vious appointment TO the command Of the First
Army Corps
The efforts made by several OF the London
daily newspapers 10 create feeling In General
Buffers favor patiently due 10 their desire
to make party capital as these papers. previous
to the action OF the War Office could scarcely
say anything bad enough about the general.
for whom they have now taken up the cudgels.
They have succeeded. however in working up
certain amount of popular enthusiasm. which
finds vent in music hall demonstrations wher-
ever General Buffers name is mentioned.
great meeting Of sympathy in Hyde Park is
now under consideration. and there is talk OF the
presentation TO the general OF a sword of
honor as a national tribute. In the West of
Eng sfand where General Buffers home is stu
ated the feeling runs high. Frequent meetings
have been held to denounce the governments
action.
representative OF The Associated Press
learns that General Butler. first OF ALL after de-
livering the speech (at the luncheon given by
the Queens Westminster Rife Volunteers. at
their beadouarter. in Westminster to those of
their regiment who had taken part in the war
In South Africa) which resulted In his retire
ment received a personal letter from King Ed
ward disappearing OF his utteranees and clearly
intimating that his majesty would be glad II
General Butler would resign. Then the war
cora,ary MIR. Brodrick. summoned Generai
Buller and point blank demanded MS resleha-
.,or II WAS q stormy interview, ending in Cen
oral Buller's fiat refusal 10 resign 1t Is saiu
that the general even then did not believe that
,h. war Office would venture to retire him.
After the interview Mr.. Brodrick went straight
TO King Edward. in Scotland and the result .i "a
his visit was the action whlch mas ho" 81 '''N
up the country.
The Scottish Liberal Association at meeting
at Stirling to-day at which Sir Henry camp
hell Bannerman presided. passed resolution
that the continued existence of Lord Sals-
burv's government threatens the country with
humiliat tion and disaster, and the Liberal party
should unite under Sir Henry Campbell-Ban-
nermans leadership for the governments over
throw. -, ia
In the course of his speech Sir Henry said
the liberals no longer cared for ministerial de-
nunciatlons The nation had lost all confidence
in the capability of the government, thoush IL
might be some time before the nation TOOK en-
tireiy sane views of the terrible state OF Things
in South Africa.
Walter Long, president of the local Govern
rnent BOARD in the course of a long speech AT
Liverpool this afternoon said the government
would defend General Buffers appointment 10
the command at Aldershot on the grounds OF
policy and justice. His dismissal was soiely
because his recent speech was sui versive 10
military discipline. Agonized consideration had
been extended to the case. and the CABINET
unanimously supported Lord Roberts's action
Probably no possessing the traditional
qualities of the British TO a greater degree tiah
General Butler ever wore the King s UNIFORM
But a greater mistake than his no soldier couid
make. 49,.
The War Office has ordered the immediate re-
lease of three members of the 9th victorian
Contingent who, resenting Brigadier Generai
Beatson calling the command white nvereu
ours" were tried by court martial and sen,
fenced TO death for mutinous conduct Generai
Kitchener committing the sentence TO tweiNe
Denal seryitude.