Tar leading article in the World of the 29th of July is headed '*(F)lying rumours," and begins with quoting the message of the Portuguese Ambassador to his Government:—'One report says the Lord Prorector is dead; another that he is still living; for my part I believe neither of them." It is told in reference to the rumour that Lord Salisbury was about to retire to make room for the Duke of Devonshire. Although Mr. Curzon's unfortunate boast before the General Election has been signally falsified, the boast that if Lord Salisbury came into power again all Great Britain's foreign troubles would at once be dissipated, Lord Salisbury is not likely to make such a confession of failure as he would do by resigning; nor is it all likely that such a dilettante statesman as the Duke of Devonshire would take his place. The World says For domestic reasons, the Premiership of the Duke of Devonshire would be undesirable. The Consereatism with the democratic character task of the future will be to reconcile indelibly impressed upon our institutions and with the democratic spirit of the times. The task is difficalt, though not impossible; but we doubt whether its accomplishment is reserved for the Duke of Devonshire. He is neither a Conservative nor a democrat. In the unfortunate event of Lord Salisbury's Fetiroment, the present leader of the House of mons would be his natural successor. Mr. Balfour has often stated that Conservatives must recognise as frankly as Radicals that England is a democratic State; and he has in no ordinary degree the qualities necessary for iving effect to his doctrine. Above all, he as, a Sir Michael Hicks-Beach has said, a certain magnetic charm of mind and character which wins alike upon friends and opponents. tions and feelings of others, which especially commend him to the better part of the work. ing-classes, who feel that their ideas will at least havea fair consideration and appreciation from him. No doubt he has committed serious faults as 2 leader which only the recognition of his admirable qualifications for leadership could have got over. He does not sufficiently study the House of Commons nor make himself master of his Bills. But he has been told frankly of his faults, which are, re-madiable at will and are not ingrained in dency such as Mr. Gladstone had, or a winning character. An overpowering personal ascencharm of r such as Mr. Balfour pos: sesses, in association with the brilliant intel-Tectual gifts of both, are qualifications for filled with new nationalities, active and exuberant, was seeking fresh routes. Every one was on the watch to know what was going on in regions hitherto neglected. Poets and men of action, merchants and soldiers, were of one mind and announced the opening up of new horizons. The Gatniers, the Dapuis, the Brazzas were returning one after another and affirming that not a moment should-be lost, for the places would soon be taken, and that they had fallen in with rival teavalless were no less surprised than they themselves at their meeting. Movements are not -improvised nor created by decree, 'They are again, and for the las' time no doubt, was to formed spontaneously, and the earth once be divided up. stand aside and look on. with indifferent "The question was whether France was to glance. In several continents and on distant seas previous centuries had left numerous vestiges of the maritime and colonial activity of out fathers. Were these vestiges Ferry was among those wito thought that it thered up, or were they to be abandoned did not behave France to leave to others the remnants of her scattered heritage. With a clear knowledge of. the past and an accurate view of the future, having consulted the poi ich thenceforth determined the ideal moment and our strength, he fixed the four
Tongking, the Congo, and Madagascar quadrilateral of our colonial domain—Tunis, less than 15 years anew empire was therein marked out. It is not surprising if, amid the sacrifices and sufferings panied the accomplishment of a work 30 Vast, are still heard the reproaches and com. plaints of those who have not fully divined its meaning, of those who have not believed in it, and especially of those who have suffered from it. But we must acknowledge that the work, undertaken with sagacity and carried out resolutely and quickly, is one of those which do honour to a nation, that by the of the leaders, the valour of the soldiers, and the energy of the colonists, our France has regained a certain portion of the glory which so many noble enter. rises during previous centuries had ensured er. One ign of the wisdom of this conception, which was nevertheless 0 dai and, I was about to say, so audacious, is execution and accomplishment did among the rival Powers grave resistance or rous conflicts, To-day, even as we dre reaching the end, everybody acknowledges that the place we took was just that which belonged to us. Discuss if you choose certain details and let us admit that incidents, foreseen or unforeseen, are still to conte, both of a diplomatic and military order, the facts are nevertheless there, the work has been accom. plished, and France satisfied can show the world, not without, pride, new daughters whom something of her grace already softens the ruder features of Asia and Africa." The judgment in the Drummond Castle enquiry was given on the 27th of July. Tt is much too long to quote in full, and we take the following summary of it from the Home News The Court found that the vessel was ina seaworthy condition for the service in which she was employed, and were perfectly satisfied suggested the late Capt. Pierce. The that there was no ground for the iniputations captain and officers were men whose records
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.