THE LIBERAL SPLIT.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 163, 22 July 1901, Page 2

THE LIBERAL SPLIT.

SPEECH BY LOBD ROSEBERY. “ A LUNATIC REFORM CLUB.” STRAIGHT TALK FROM ENLIBERAL LEADER. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, July 20. Lord Rosebery, speaking at tho City Liberal Club, described Labouehorc’s meeting at Qucon’s Hall as a Lunatic Reform Club. 110 said the proceedings were a piece of organised hypocrisy. Lord Rosebery, in the courso of his speech, justified the opportuneness of his letter. The schism was partly traoeablo, but far less to Irish than to Imperial questions, and datod trom the murder of Goneral Gordon.

Could any party (he asked', aspiring to the confidence of tho pooplc, maintain an open mind on a question which stabbed at the heart of the Empire ? If sound on questions of the Empire, the Liberals (ho said) would bo able to proceed with tho domestic reform for which the country was ripe. Ho hoped for such party reforms, freed from entangling alliances, purged from all tho anti-national elements comprising some of the Unionists.

Meanwhile, owing to tho divisions, he still preferred to plough his furrow alone, but before bo reached the end of the furrow ho would possibly not bo alone. The speech was received with enthusiastic cheers.

Both letters and speech have caused a tremendous sensation. The Liberals bclievo that Lord Roscbory contemplates establishing a democratic Imperialist party’. The Asquith banquet was comparatively tame, the speakers being still under tho influence of a possiblo compromise. The speeches wore chiefly restricted to generalisations. Mr Asquith declared that the Imperialists wero able to hold their own equally and easily inside and outside the Liberal party, which recognised that the Empire was worth living and dying for.