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The split in the Liberal Party is now more accentuated than ever, much to the loss of the country at large, as a strong Opposition is much needed. No greater mistake was ever made than the appointment of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman as the Liberal Leader, for he has proved quite incompetent to' keep the varying factions of the Party under control, "and has alienated the sympathies of the best men among the Liberals by his insensate trachling ts the pro-Boers and Little-Englanders, without advancing his own position one iota. At a meeting held at Glasgow Lord Rosebery spoke out his mind, and boldly disowned Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman's leadership rather than disown his own policy, and in his speech, sid that he favoured a vigorous prosecution of the war, denounced the slanders on our troops, "and emphatically Pointed, out that the' attitude of the Nationalist members on this subject was a conclusive reason against giving Home Rule to Ireland, mentioning, amidst the derisive cheers of his audience, tha: the announcement in the House of Commons of recent British reverses in South Africa was received by some of the Irish members with cheers. Lord Rosebery summed up by recommending that the programme of the Lileral Party should embrace questions of social and administrative impro ent that would be a real benefit to the nation. In reviewing this speech the "Times" says Lord Rosebery's speech at Glasgow last night shows that he is determined to stand firmly by his guns, even if a few of those who originally took a prominent place in the Liberal Imperialist movement appear now disposed to draw back in presence of the excommunication levelled at all dissentients by Sir Henry Campbel Bannerman. It rests with Lord Rosebe to impress his policy upon the country, whatever the official organisation of the Liberal party may think of it, and how-[ever some hesitating followers may quibble about. the issues on which he is prepared to demand the support of the s.... For years past the Li-divided ever since Mr. Gladstone's fatal plunge into the abyss of Home Rule and associated with unpopular and unpatriotic principles, has been losing ground all over the Kingdom, and nowhere more steadily and significantly than in Scotland. Lord Rosebery is making an energetic and determined effort to extricate it from this slough of despond. He has endeavoured to give a central force and a vivifying spirit to a Liberalism which will appeal to the whole nation. He hopes to create a party which will not run counter to the Imperialist instincts that were imperfectly developed when Mr. Gladstone made his appeal to the electors of Glasgow two-and-twenty years ago, but are now dominant influence in national policy. Lord Rosebery emphatically declares that he will not—aban don the task he has taken in hand. Hi reply to Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman's excommunication is that it is impossible to enforce such an interdict against one who has already severed his official connection with the Liberal party and its working organisations. But the Liberal Tmperialists in the House of Commons who have cast in their lot with Lord bery are not quite in the same He is called upon to justify their po: as well as his own, and he has shown no Jack of courage and thoroughness in doing so. It is, indeed, sufficiently obvious, though it is not of paramount importance, that the "Liberal League" can appeal to many precedents of organisations, past and present, formed and tolerated inside the Liberal party, from the Anti-Corn Law League to the Liberation Society. Those who agree with Lord Rosebery intend, ho says, to live and work inside the party, but to attempt to permeate it and to fluence it in the right direction. Lord Rosebery sees clearly that, "official Li-boralism" is not going in that direction, and he expresses his opinion in language more distinct. and impressive than that which he used either at Chesterfield or at Liverpool. He accentuates his position, no doubt, because Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, with whom he disclaims any personal differences, has gradually gone over more decidedly to the other side.
The "Daily News" is, of course, incensed atthe ground that has been lost in Scotland by the Liberal party owing to the fatuous conduct of their so-called leaders and shows this pretty plainly ae follows We note that, when Lord Rosebery welt on the fact that there are no Liberal members for Glasgow at present, his audience broke out in into cheers, which were repeated when he referred to the nine Tory members who represented Glasgow in 1880. Nor could the Tories refrain from cheering when Lord Rosebory pointed to the fact that thirty-eight Scotch Tory members now sit "in the House of Commons. These punctuations detracted somewhat from the value of the cheers which greeted other sentiments from Lord Rosebery, especially those in which, with marked precision, he emphasise nis differences from the Liberal Leader. For it is quite possible that, in these instances also, the cheers came from the Tory listeners. It must indeed have been a little more than embarrassing wi{on those Msteners, candid as ever, cheered even Lord Rosebery's modest disclaimer of the hope that he might return to power. That was ho only touch of unkindness which the audience showed during the speech. We ¢o not grudge Lord Rosebery such an audience, and, indeed, we think it a good thing for both parties. Lord Rosebery denies now, with an honesty that does him honour that. he wishes to be a Liber. al leader. His ambition is to draw fall ors from. both parties. We wish him hearty success in that part of his task which applies to the Tories. For them to Jeave Mr. Chamberlain and to join Lord Rosebery would certainly be distinct folttical progress—just as much, in our "pinion, as it would be political retrogression for Liberals to take a similar step.
The Daily Chronicle" takes a most sensible view of the situation, and gives forcible expression to it In the eloquent peroration with whicl Lord Rosebery closed his criticisms of th: present Government there was the save almost passionate vigors as in the passage at Chesterfield about tie necess.ty of finding an alternative Gozerninent. Tt is no part of Lord Roschery's policy to formulate an alternative programme. On
gramme-spinning. But he continued the contrary, he is opposed to all pro; last night to preach his gospel of eficin ey. To the Duke of Devonshire's critiism on this gospel ho had an easy reply. "Why don't you practise," asks the Duke, "instead of preach "Because Iam not in power," replies Lord Rosebery. It, is for the Government to practise. It is for the Opposition to criticise, and most vigourous was Lord Rosebery's criticism last night. That no doubt' is precisely the reason why the Ministerialists wish ho would do something else. The gospel of ficiency covers a wide field. The future of the Empire depends upon it.—Will the mother-country "wake up," or will lethargy prevail? fo course British history may depend—on the answer. Again, efficiency bound up in social reform. It means education, for an efficient people can only be formed by highly-organised instruction. It means housing reform, for no people can be'efficient when a largo proportion of it is vern and condemned to live in conditions which necessarily Tead to physical and moral degradation. Tt means temperance reform, for sobriety and efficiency go hand in hand. On all these subjects Lord Rosebery had_something to say last night. Sane Imperialism, efficient administration, social reform these appear three of the leading ideas
mote. Why should anybody seck to drum out" those who hold such views?
the Liberal League exists to pro-
The "Saturday Review" has a somewhat sarcastic nate of Lord Rosebery's speech Lord Rosebery's acknowledgment of personal friendship and political enmity towards Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was not without interest. Tt has recalled to some Fox's tearful appeal to Burke that there should be no loss of friendship" but we do not think that the present little squabble will appear in the histories,
to disclaim personal ambition or even willingness to take the position thrust upon Lord Rosebery further went out of his way
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.