The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-01
ROSEBERY's PROSPECTS

ROSEBERY'S PROSPECTS
The liberal unionists of England, at
their annual council in London Thursday, |
set the seal of condemnation or any prog |
gram Of uniting With the liberal imperial |
lists under Rosebery's leadership.
Lord Rosebery, Judging from the tone
OF his recent Liverpool speech, bad an
idea that his program OF steadfast support
of the war policy of the government, mod |
flied by approval of negotiations with the
Beers, and reDudia ton of the Irish home
rule policy, so valiantly protagonized by
Grand Old Man Gladstone would draw I'M
her his leadership those members of the
liberal party who went over to the con-
SENTATIVE party when, in the eighties, that
statesman was vigorously insistent upon
Irish, home rule and even advocated the
restoration of the Irish parliament to deal
with Irish affairs. But the liberal union
lists, now domiciled under the copserva-
tive roof tree, will not return to the de-
moraliZed and divided liberal party.
Joseph Chamberlain, who led them out If
the liberal party, has been honored with
tives, who seem to like the man who,
once a radical liberal. has now identified
himself fully with his former political
enemies and is the leading procuring cause
of the South African war, which is eat
ing the funds c. the british treasury down
to the bare floor and putting the screws
on the taxpayers in very painful way.
! Lord Rosebery has cut every bond which
united him with the Boer liberals WHO
| follow the lead Of Henry Campbell Ban
herman, and the latter denDunce him as a
| traitor to the liberal cause. Lord Rose
berry, by advocating negotiations with the
Beers looking to a settlement and peace,
receives no sympathy from the conserva
tives, wLo think nothing cam be gained
by negotiations and that the Anglo Japa-
nese alliance, marking a change in Brit
ish policy from "splerdid isolation to a
policy of extension of influence and power
through alliances. will buttress threat
ened interests and above all check de-
cisively, for some time at least, the Rus
sian advances in the far east, the COM
pact With Japan giving Great Britain po-
sitions, bases and coaling facilities, and
enabling her to withdraw warships from
the China squadron for service in Euro
pean waters, notably the Mediterranean.
where is now tine weak point in Britain S
naval defenses. There is no doubt that
this alliance will prevent any possible Eu-
ropean intervention in South Africa, il
any of the powers ever had an idea of
such action.
OF Lord Rosebery's prospects it may be
said that the prospect of a strong liberal
rally under him is mot encouraging. Rose
berry, while "a scholar and a gentleman, .
has not yet shown any distinguishing
leadership qualities. Like the democratic
Iparty in this country the English liberal
party is rent by very radical differences
There has been no development of a
leader qualified to bring the separated
elements together. Gladstone passed
away leaving no immediate successor. He
has not come yet. While the South Al
rican war lasts the government will I'M
doubtedly be sustained. When 1t Is over
there will probably be new political align
ments and capable liberal leader will
appear. The liberal party in England has
performed too valuable service for the
people of the United Kingdom for it tt
disappear. It's spirit is born of progress.
sive and aggressive forebears in remote
past centuries. It recorded its most
5 substantial victories for popular libert,
and individual freedom Of action in tab.
century recently closed It is a party
which Is necessity, either in opposition
or in domination.