The Washington times., 1902-08-03

Marquis of Lansdowne has been one OF
| Englund's strong men, one pf the promi-
nent factors in her worlc of politics.
His advancement has been steady and
marked. Yet he has been bounded down
and severely criticised by the press
and public.
In Mr.. Gladstone's ministry he was
made lord OF the treasury, which posi-
tion he held from 1869 to 1872. Then for
two years he was under secretary for
war. When. in 1880, Gladstone returned
TO power, Lord Lansdowne was made
under secretary for india. He was fur
ther honored three years later by be-
Ing created governor general of Canada.
In this office he served out his full term,
and to such credit to himself and his
management OF affairs in the provinces
that in 1885 Queen Victoria appointed
him governor general OF India. Those
high in authority had recognized his
ability and remarkable grasp of Great
Britain's affairs, and. consequently,
when the time came when they, found
themselves in need of a man with vast
capacity for executive ability, and at
the same time man who could remain
unruffed amid all sorts OF trials and de-
nunciations. even by his friends, they
turned to Lansdowne. This time they
made him secretary Of state for war.
That put him in the cabinet and made
him one OF England's most powerful
statesmen. 80
In this position, as head Of the war
office, Lord Lansdowne was responsible
for the condition in which Great Britain
went to war with the Beers. From the
beginning of the war to the dissolution
of the cabinet in 1900 he was subjected
to the most virulent criticism from all
classes of the British public. The in
adequacy OF the army supplies was laid
to his door, and he was hounded, and
reviled on that score. The commander
in-chief Of the army, Lord Wolseley.
definitely charged him with having OBJ
structed practical men In the execution
of their dugy. Press and public were
alike outspoken in demanding his resig-
nation. Yet he retained his eelr. and
manner; he went right on with
his work: he studied the situation for
himself and acted accordingly Still the
public was firmly convinced that Lord
Salisbury would at length bow to popu-
lar sentiment and at the first oppor-
tunity allow the secretary for war to re-
tire graciously from public life
he ocfa fch ant fho-
fore. when it was announced to the ma
tion that with the selection of the cabi-
net. which existed until his recent re-
tIrement from active public life, Lord
Salisbury had chosen the Marquis. of
Lansdowne as secretary for foreign az
fairs. the most important position, next
to that OF the prime minister himself
In the general explanation on the part
of the press that followed his appoint
ment as secretary for foreign affairs, the
only good thing that has been said of
Lord Lansdowne Is that he speaks
French fiuently Beyond that. no man
knows his capacity as a foreign minis
ter. -.4- -
Born in 1s45, the Marquis OF Laris-
downe is a man OF long descent. The
enviable distinction of being the twenty
sixth baron OF Kerry and Liznaw, title
founded In 11S1. is his. He is. more
,ver. one of the largest of British land
owners, owning large estates in England.
ireland, and Scotland. In 1869 he mar
ried a daughter of the first Duke OF
abercorn. His son, the Earl Of Kerry,
holds a good record as extra A. D. c. to
Lord Roberts In South Africa
Whether statesman by his own right /,
Or mere mouthpiece for tne master
minds of the British Empire, Lord Lans-
lowne holds a position in Britain that
commands attention from all the world
powers.