Year: 1879

SITUATION nm kraucCS


LoNDoN, Oct. s5-A dispatch from Paris to
the Times says NJ. Gambetta has returned to
farls An evening paper states that NJ. GAM
beta is opposed TO reopenng the amnesty uues-
ton, and that he disclaims responsiblity for the
utterances of the Repn0'iq',e F!dnraiss. But
whether NJ. Gambetta opposes or supports am-
neSty, the chamber of deputies will certainly
reject It. The minority viii not need TO make il
a cabinet question. They have strengthened
themselves and have reassured the moderate
men by the recent prosecutions. 1t seems also
quite settled that clause seven of NJ Iulps Fer
rvs educational bill will not he made cabinet
question. Thus the cabinet viii not fall on the
two questions which menaced IL, though II IL
lives through the coming session OF the cham
bers France will certainly show itself a country
of surprises.


The British Liberal Demonstration


at Manchester.


AT the liberal demonstration In Manchester
yesterday, Lord Huntington. replying to the
criticisms upon the supposed attitude OF the
liberals regarding foreign affairs, and to the
charge that change in the government would
unsettle present arrangements. said: 1.-The lib
erals are aware that International obligations
must be respected as long as the circumstances
under which they were made remain unchanged,
and we have felt from the beginning that one Of
the worst consequences of our miSchievouS and
misguided foreign policy was that its cOnse-
quenceS do not cease Immediately with the ten
ure OF the power of its authors. We know that
the engagements government have entered
into must be respected, and defy anyone to
put his hand on any statement by any reSpon-
Sibe leader of The liberal party to the contrary.
We are asked what our policy will be. It is i'm
possible to describe In its details the policy Of
the future under circumstances of which we can
know nothing certain, and of which we can only
make forecast England's policy should not
be an imitation of the policy of any other
power. There is no power In Europe, ex-
cept England, which has not known the
horrors of foreign invasion in the present
century. 1t is natural that the foreign policy of
every other state sheuld be greatly Influenced
by the dread OF recurrence of such disasters.
IT is not to be wondered at that other states
view with suspicion the policy and every move
ment OF nationalitfeS for the disturbance OF the
balance OF power, and say thatEngland, which
is TO a great extent free from apprehenSiOnS OF
this kind, may see unmoved a great deal that
passes in Europe which naturally eyciteS the
suspicion and apprehension of other nations.
But while the heart OF our empire is the source
of all its power and greatness, and enjoys this
Iemarkable. this exceptional security, England
is, through her many colonial possessions, and
her Indian possessions more liable to vital in
jury-to injury of a different character but not
the less vital-than any other state The con-
erations is that England is less fitted
by her position and the nature Of her re-
sources than any other power for a policy
OF military administration. The prime minister
resources of England were so great that
If she went to war she would not have to con-
slider whether she could maintain the war for
one or for three campaigns. That believe to be
true but 1t is also true that England is less pre-
pared than any other power for the first cam
paign, and no minister ought to threaten war or
go to war unless he asks himself the question
whether the cause is so obviously just in the
eyes OF the whole people that they will be ready
to make those long, those continued, those pro-
uacted sacrifices which would be necessary for
the prosecution of the war for one or for three
campaigns as for five campaigns. Nor does it
follow from these opinions that the policy Of
England ought to be one of selfish and timid
isolation,