The European Crisis

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 123, 17 May 1888, Page 2

The European Crisis

LORD WOLSBLEY A"ND HIS STATEMENTS. By Electric Telegraph. — Copyright. |_P«!E UNITED PttESS ASSOCIATION.] London, May 14. In the House of Lords to-day, Lord Wolseley admitted that Mr E. IStauhope had, during his administration, much improved the condition of the defences of the country, although in his opinion the defence system was still unsatisfactory, both at Home and abroad, and he was unable to guarantee the safety of London in the event of an attack. Lord Wolseley regretted that the expression of his opinion as to the defectiveness of the defences of the country should have brought on him the censure of the Premier, and he said he was prepared to tender his resignation to the War Office. Lord Salisbury, in reply, said he felt bound to adhere to his former remarks as to the impropriety of Lord Wolseley's action in expressing the opinions he did on such a grave subject in an after-dinner speech ; but he added that the Government would regard his (Lord Wblseley's) retirement as a great ' blow to the service. He further promised that Lord Wolseley's statements as to the inefficiency and defectiveness of the defences should receive the careful consideration of the Government.

A great meeting is being arranged to take place in the city on the fifth of June to protest against the inadequacy of the defences.

May 16. The Standard defends Lord -Wolaeley, and applauds him for his frank, plain statements, which have left a profound and wholesome impression on the country. The Daily Telegraph urges that no outlay should be spared to place the city of London and the coast line in a thorough state of defence to ensure the safety of the Kingdom.

Sir Charles Dilke, in a magazine article, contends that the real danger to be feared is that Russia and France may attack England, and states that both Powers are building an enormous number of fast cruisers, which, should they, in the event of war, operate against England, would cripple the trade of the country. Vienna, May 16. The Government organ declares that the situation in the East is now intolerable, and that the Powers must soon take decisive measures to end the suspense with or without the assistance of Russia. Sofia. May 15. M. Stambuloff has made a formal complaint to Servia of the inoursions of armed bands on the frontier.