The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-14
Unanimous Vote of Confidence Is
Given to Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman.
WANTS NO DISCUSSION OF WAR.
Ar. Asquith, Despite Admonitiun,
Alludes to Conflict and Is
Tory Cand date for
Leadership.

SPECIAL BY CABLE
London, July lS.-The Liberal party-that
'fssiparous organism as Mr. Chamber
lain unkindly calls it-have patched up their
differences.
The meeting at the Reform Club last
Tuesday was on the surface harmonious
enough. Almost every one who was there
processes to be pleased at the result.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannermann received
a unanimous vote of confidence. II is prob
able that IL he had resigned he would have
been unanimously reelected One nigh:
say Of the Liberal party-yaryfng the phrase
which Sheridan applied to his critics when
they did not agree-"their unanimity is won
derful.''
Sometimes the best judges of these things
is an intelligent opponent. A few days ago
met an old personal friend of mine with
a singularly- well-balanced mind, who has
now long been Conservative member OF
Parliament. He remarked that he did not
see why Sir Henry should be attacked for
honestly expressing opinions which are rot
merely his own, but those of the majority
among the Liberal rank and file.
This, OF course. referred to Sir Henry's
speeches at Southampton and the dinner of
the National Reform Union. not to what he
said at the Reform Club.
A party meeting Is not the occasion Of eX-
pounding policy that, at least, is the re-
ceived idea. It II supposed to be an oppor-
tunity for the free exchange Of views be-
matter OF fact, It usually consists of an ad-
monitiOn from him and an expression of as
sent from them.
Accepts the Leadershlp Reluctantly.
Sir Henry explained on Tuesday that he
had accepted the post OF leader with re-
luctance, that he regarded 1t as high
honor that he had been treated with much
personal consideration. but there had been
serious differences Of opinions in the party
which he could not altogether ignore.
H shs Of ans ,s. @ aar
possible they would agree to differ that
they might unite In a demand for a. policy
OF Cancellation in South Atric al taas would
Perhaps this was all Sir Henry could
have said. but It did not amount to much.
He was enthusiastically received. for he
cheered on rising and still more loudly
cheered on sitting down.
No Irish Member Present.
The vote OF confidence was supported by
representatives of England. Scotland and
Wales-no Irish member was present-and
by Mr Eenyick; q worsinsma,n member 1Sa1a r.
meeting would under ordinary circum-
stances have come to an end. but it was
obviously necessary for Mr.. Asauith to say
He expressed his personal respect for his
leader with remarkably good taste, and dis
With obyious SIN
He also denied all knowledge Of them, by
&c WHICH &c sough
That some a., least Of the Liberal I'm.
pertaiists would have been glad to get rid
Of Sir Henry and substitute Mr.. Asauith
for him Is notorious, and they would not
think themselves of denying 1t.
Mr.. Ass.ith'e speech Excellent.
have nseS only one Spno s.s Of M
had to make. But. at the same time. Mr..
opinion, whether It agreed with those Of his
chief or not He went further. and declared
that the divergence Of opinions among Lib
ss & 6
that it must infect their respective views of
1he settlement which is to follow.
beIl-Bannermann. and his admiration for his
personal qualities. did not prevent him re-
pndiating Sir Henry's lead on what. after
n m, tas have been Thought that n Mr.. AS
quith had exhausted this delicate and not
very agreeable subject. but Sir Edward Grey
s Sir ESs aGs n spoke wS
bitterness and an egoism unusual in him.
He complained that the best years of mis-
whorn-and demanded liberty of action,
which nobody proposed to restrict
Sif William Harcourt gave his emphatic
support TO Sir Henry.
But Il seems to me that what has been
arranged Is q hollow truce. not a lasting
Personally, think Sir Henry Campbell
Rapnermann scored, having shown an un-
suspected strength and promptitude of de-
cision Of character.
Az for MI. Asouith, he stood before in She
Immediate line OF succession. Now he Is the
Tory candidate for the leadership of the
Liberal party.
do him no coed. Lord Rosebery has refused
to attend his dinner. afsss