New-York tribune., 1911-03-19
AnglO-American Memories
CXI.
THE LATE DUKE OF DEVONsHIRe
Copyright 1911. George W. smanev

'N' war, with what | thought an un-
usual unreserve. He said:
IN sense il is not our war at all. II
was forced upon us. don't know what
you think about ii. but we are in truth
hghting in South Africa for the Empire
IL we lose South Africa. who can say
What we shall keep"
Yes. l think people are beginning 10
sec that. and that is one reason why
your disasters stir English feeling so
deeply. But YOU used the phrase our
war Many men call it 'Chamberlains
war"
1t is no more Chamberlains war than
1t Is mine When say our war l mean
1t of the whole Cabinet. We wer, all
agreed at the beginning. We are all
agreed now. 1t is our war"
May l repeat that"
You may repeat what | said first,
that II is no more Chamberlain's war
than II is mine But. Of course. must
not commit or compromise my. col
leagues. Ii will be known later. when
the war is over. that the Cabinet were of
one mind. But am quite ready TO take
my share Of the responsibility"
AS it did become known. and as the
war ended in victories which consoll-
dated not only South Africa but the
other great dominions. and the Empire
itself think | may now give the whole
of Lord Hartington's testimony need
only point out that at the time when he
thus put himself by Mr. Chamberlains
side the war was unpopular because i'll
understood and because success seemed
doubtful. The imperial purpose OF it was
obscurcd II was not clearly seen 10 be a
defensive war. a : il was. and sentimental
clamors rang throush the land. and the
apostles Of peace and Of a Little England
were loud mouthed. 1t needed man TO
face all that
Lerd Harrington. il is true, belonged
not only TO the governing class but to
one Of the great governing families Of
England. doubt whether popular
clamors. sentimental or otherwise. dis
turbed him. He knew very we'll
the centre OF political power had shifted,
and that q majority Of the electorate
was democratic. But he knew that the
inevitable mad happened, and that the
game had 20 hc played. If at all. under
these new conditions. he accepted
them. but his courage in the presence
cf overwhelming hostile majorities was
never shaken. When the Khaki election
and a new lease Of rower to the Union
ISIS came II came as a vindication of
his Judgment Testimony TO his courage
he needed none.
The Office OF Lord President Of the
Council. which the Duke then held. is
supposed 10 be. and sometimes is. chiefly
ornamental II is coveted for tho sake
Of the dignity and for the sake OF the
social precedence II gives. II had. IN the
Duke OF Devonshire's case. "A very diff
ferent significance; as il has had in some
other cases. 1t is convenient position
for a man who no longer cares 10 he
burdened with Departmental duties. 1t
is equally convenient for the Prime Min
lister to have post at his disposal splen-
did enough TO tempt a man whose pres
ence in the Cabinet is desirable for per
sonal reasons. The Duke lent 10 Mr.
Balfour's Ministry a great name. He
had had immense experience. He had
a mature. sagaciOus judgment. He had'
in a degree possessed by nobody else
after Lord Salsbury's death. the conf
dence Of the country That IT was which
made his declaration about Mr.. Cham
berlain. and his readiness 10 share tho
responsibility for the Boer War, inval-
uablc.
Charactor-what else Is there" Lord
Harrington sometimes made q hold Use
Of the authority which character CAV"
him. In that strange dispute which lay
at the bottom of the quarrel between tho
Prince Of Wales Edward NID and Lord
Randolph Churchill. Lord harrington
was asked 10 intervene Into the details
had rathc not 90. known though they
are 10 many persons IN London. hut
the happiness and reputation Of two
great families verc involved. and there
worc compromising letters which on"
marty to the ~uarrel threatened 20
divulge. When Lord Harrington was ap-
poalod 10 he said nc could do nothing
unless he saw the letters. They werc
brought and put into. his hands. lie
read them. Then
Are there any more
40"
II have your authority to mako such
uso Of these letters as think bcst"'
Yes"
Whereupon Lord Harrington walked I
the fire. put the letters into the blazing
crate saw them burn to ashes, and said:
II do not think 1t will be necessary to
carry this matter further"
And to a protest he replied:
you are AT liberty 10 say what YOU
like and do what yor like. ] have acted
in What consider 10 be the interests OF
both sides
Naturally. there are more versions
than one Of this incident, but the one
give believe TO be the true one. Said
one of those present:
Harrington is the only man ] know
who could have done it without ques-
,ion. But that is becausc he is IIarting-
ton" g. ". :.