Mr one's Defence of the Anglo Russian Policy.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 123, 2 June 1885, Page 2

Mr one's Defence of the Anglo Russian Policy.

He Elec-rifloa Europe.

London,' April 27In moving the vote of credit, Mr Gladstone said that tho Government considered it. necessary to have tho entire resources of the Empiro well in hand, for use and application whenever they may be required. Events since the fall of Khartoum have shown that, tho El Mahdi's power has collapsed. England's possession of Khartoum would not put a stop to the . lavo trado, and therefore, it would be useless to shed blood and treasure in the Soudan. Tn regard to the alleged smallness of the vote of credit, he reminded the House it was the largest that had been asked since tho Crimoan War, and it is also coincident with large increases in tho annual army and navy votes. Furthermore, he said, tho case relates primarily to India. In order to fully appreciate the amount entailod, it is requisite to know the oxtent of tho measures being taken in India. Tho ca cc is not ono of war actual, or perhaps, proximate. Ho did rot feel called upon to dofino tho degree of danger, but he would say, in regard lo the sad contingency of an outbreak of war, or rupturo of relations with Russia, that Her Majesty's Government had striven to conduct the controversy in such a way that if it is, unhappily, ended in a violent rupture thoy might at least bo ablo_ to challenge tho verdict of civilised mankind whether or not they had dono all that mon could do, and had used every just and honourable effort to prevent tho plunging of thotwo countries intobloodshed and despair. (Choers.) Tho question before tho Committee, ho eaid, was simple and oven narrow,althoughaniraportantono. Negotiations continuo, but to givo Parliament partial information only would mislead thorn, Tho (lovornmont submittod its case upon facts with which tho wholo world is acquainted. Thoro oxists abundant causo for tho war preparations which aro being cariiod ou. (Cheers.) Tho starting point was tho obligation to the Araoer, which should bo fulfilled in no stinted mannor. (Loud cheers.) Tho covenant with Russia, of March 1(5, was ono which England hoped and believed would bo recognised as one of tho most sacred over mado botwoon two great nations, and if any deviation occurrod, thero should be a jealous rivalry betwoen the two nations to sift to tho bottom all that remained in susponse. A bloody engagement occurred on March IlOth, showing that ono or both failed lo fulfill the covenant. England considers it tho duty of both countries to aecortnin how the calami-yoecurred. lie wo_l 1 notant'eipato tho British were right. He felt porfeet confidence in British ollicors, but ho woald not assume that thoy might not have been misled. Ho could not say tho Government possessed all tho facts in the case. They possessed facts which created an impression averse to those formed by tho othor patty i to the covenant, but thoy would not deviate from tho strictest principles of ju-tico by anticipating any of tho ultimate issues of tlio fair inquiry thoy aro desirous ot prosocuting, Thoro is cause for war i preparations. Ho hopod tlio Houso would not delay its assent, which would only tend to propagate tho Idea horo and olso whero that thoro was some indecision in tho mind of Parliament, whereas ho believed that one heart and one purpose animated thorn. At the conclusion oi his speech, tho delivery of which occupied one hour, the i Hiiuko "broke out in loud and prolongod cheoring. Mr Gladstone was listened to . with deep attention und silonco, and his words created a profound sonsation. Do^pntchos say the speech was received with profound intorest throughout Europe, and published in full in all the newspapers. The general opinion was that it. made war . certain. Tho loading papers In tho United States spolco of tlie speech as one of tho most romarknblo specimens of oratorical skill in the annals of Parliament. Tho iscw \ oru "Times" said it was --an invocation of the whole world to beatwitness that tho impending war has becomo inevitable in spite of every effort to avoid it that England could mako." Tho " Tribuno " pronounced tho effect electrical. " Tho voico of tho Prime Minister, always tho npostlo of pacific statesmanship, a man who detests war as tho most brutal occupation in which nations can indulge, now tings out like a prophet in denunciation of Russia's broken covonant and cowardly assault. Challenging tho verdict of civilised mankind, ho recognises tho fact that war under such wanton provocation as Russia has given would bo both righteous and necessary," New York, May 4. ilober Nowton, in his sermon on "Obedionco to tho Heavenly Vision,'' yesterday, said : " When Gladstono ontored public lifo a goneration ago, ho avowed the boliof that Mio supremo work of Iho State was to promoto internal improvements, easo the burden of labour, olevalo tho lot of tho inassos, correct abuses, foster higher manhood; that poaco was tlio true ond nominal order for Christian nations, and right, not might, should dictato public policies. Ho seriously sot himself to cany out theso principles. Ho has mado mistakes; has shown his limitations; but ho has not only been a good man, but a rare and glorious man. Circumstances havo forcod him into positions whero ho has seemed to act contrary to his convictions ; tho ponnlty of tho wrongs and blunders of othora has fallen upon him ; but ho never, as far as I can see, really turned aside from following after that heavenly vision of his youth. England, at his prompting, has dared to docldo a quarrel against itself in South Africa ; and now, when tho irony of fate has thrust this lover of peace into tho vestibulo of war, this friond of Russia into tho position of its foo, with what superb self-command and ciltn strength of fulnoss ho is exhausting evory resource of diplomacy to pievont tho horrors of a great war ! Magnificent spectacle of Christian manhood ! Though ho fall, overborne by responsibilities of tho I awful crisis, ho could, dying, say; ' I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,'"

(ContinvM on Fourth rage).