The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-03-03
Lord Rosebery's Atm at Leadership

II begins to look very doubtful
whether Lord RosEBBRy was wise
from his W point of view in seeding
from the British Liberal party. That
he did secede is certain, in spite OF some
subsequent professions to the contrary,
because he declared owe his signature
that, in repudiating Home Rule, he had
spoken, not from the inside Of the Lib
eral tabernacle, but from a place out
side Of it. though not in solitude. We
pointed out at the time that, for the
f~ruition of Lord RosEBERy's plans, it
would not suffice TO draw TO his side a
few conspicuous Liberals. but that it
would be indispensable 10 secure also
the support Of the Liberal Unionists
who now are represented in the Sails
bury Government.
The incidents that have since &C.
Cured indicate that Lord R~osEBERY's
attempt TO organize a new and powerful
political party is a fash in the pan. 1t
is true that Mr.. HERBERT AsoUITH, Sir
EDWARD GREY and Sir HENRY FOWLER
consented prematurely to figure as
Vice-Presidents Of a political associa-
ton the headship Of which was taken
by Lord RosEBERY. How many mem
bers OF the House of Commons are these
three conspicuous Liberals likely to
lead into the camp Of their new chief?
They might have drawn with them a
good many, II the Liberal Unionists
had shown themselves disposed to desert
the Conservatives and to form a new
coalition with the Imperialist wing Of
the Liberal party. In that ven it was
at least conceivable that Lord RosEBERy
might play a part, which, at a certain
juncture Of the Crimean War had been
taken by Lord PALNERsToN, when the
latter was called upon to supersede Lord
ABERDEEN in the post Of Premier.
In the present case the condition
precedent TO such a change proved
wanting, namely, the abandonment OF
Lord SALISBURY by his Liberal Unionist
supporters. That they have no inten-
ton Of adopting any such course was
made clear at the annual meeting ot
their Council, which took place on Feb
27 under the Presidency Of the Duke o
DEvoNsHIRE. The Duke said he was un,
able to see what inducements 10 ente.
n new coalition could be offered by tn,
Liberal Imperialist faction to the Lib
eral Unionists. He expressed the opin
ion that men like R%osERERY or KIP
LIMO, who threw blame impartially ol
everybody else, could expect 10 NEE
but scant sympathy in any quarter
For his W part. he believed, he said
that the country would decline TO follow
the flag Of statesmen who had quietl,
looked on while the official guides OF tn
Liberal party had led it deeper into tn
mire. That the meeting agreed wit
the Duke was evident because il passe,
resolutions to the effect that there was n
foundation for Lord RosEBERY's hopes o
gaining recruits among the Unionists.
The position taken by the meeting
over which the Duke of DEvoNsHIRl
presided. offers additional proof Of tn
fact that, not the London Times, but tn
London Spectator, is the trustworth
spokesman of the Liberal Unionist party
The Times, it may be remembered
praised Lord RosEBERY's repudiatiol
Of Home Rule, and showed itself read
70 acclaim a new Imperialist party
which, Of course, would have 10 depen
for the bulk Of is voting strsngth Z