The San Francisco call., 1901-12-16
WAITING FOR ROSEBERY.

/ BODY IN Great Britain who takes any interest
IN public affairs has been for a week waiting
l-fmPatlently to hear what Lord Rosebery will saw in
his speech at Chesterfield to-day The mpatience is
due to popular discomfort with the present Govern
ment disgust with the ncapacity of the Liberals and
the nope that Rosebery will by his speech reawaken
puohc confidence and prove himself to be fitted to
take charge OF the affairs OF the nation
Rarely have great people been in such urgent
need OF leader as are the British people now The
war IN South Africa, which was expected to be trou-
besome but not dangerous" as General Butler said
IS now more troublesome than ever, and moreover
has become decidedly dangerous Winston Churchill
very graphically described it by saying that at first
II was like an open wound where the blood flowed
Freely but now 1t has become fostering wound and
threatens to poison the empire" The manner in
"hch 1t has been waged has possibly been not more
severe than is necessary in dealing with guerrillas
but it has had the effect OF exciting against Great
Britain large number OF persons in all parts OF the
CIVILIZED world. That popular hostility is not to be
ignored. 1t constitutes very serious menace to
British interests and may weaken alliances where
Britain needs them most
In addition to the gloomy outlook abroad the do
mestic situation is anything but reassuring The pub
nc debt IS rapidly augmentng taxes are heavier than
ever. and, moreover, formidable competition with
1tseft' The Ministry seems utterly incompetent to
deal with the situation. Salisbury is old and has be-
come something like pessimist having no word of
cheer other than that OF the utterance OF dogged
determination to see the war through Chamberlain
mas been found incompetent. His speeches have the
misfortune to make enemies for Great Britain instead
OF making friends No one else in the Ministry has
any strength at all The Liberals are equally deficient
IN leadership 1t is. therefore, Rosebery or nothing
Ihe man from whom the empire is expecting so
much and whose words to-day are waited for with
such anxiety is of those children OF fortune who
seem to have been born with every good gilt except
that OF making great use OF it. His tutor at Eton
described him as a man who could easily win the
aurels II he would, but who would shrink from the
struggle and the dust of the arena Were he ami
mated by any OF Roosevelts delight in the Strenuous
lie he would be leader indeed 1t happens how
ever that he has OF it. He has more than once
expressed his dislike Of government by party He has
recently declared he would like to see the affairs
OF Great Britain managed by business men like Car
negie and Upton Some time ago he announced that
he would ally himself with no party, but would "plow
his furrow and stay in it," Now it is to be seen
what he has TO offer in the way OF leadership to the
nation.
The dispatches state that the desire to hear him is
so great that the hotels of Chesterfield began to fill
up with strangers last week. Notwithstanding it was
announced that every seat in the hall where the
speech is to be made had been already taken Prob
ably 1t IS the intention to give him a grand ovation
on the streets should he speak like one having
authority All things being taken into considera-
ton, Rosebery has before him the greatest opportu-
nifty that has been enjoyed by orator in this gener
alton. If he be equal to the occasion he NAV be
Prime Minister of Great Britain before the coming
year closes IT he ta his political will end in
worse fasco than that of Bryan