ENGLISH opinions on the war.

Grey River Argus, Volume X, Issue 776, 7 January 1871, Page 4

ENGLISH opinions on the war.

The Grand Banquet given by the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs at Guildhall on the sth of November, was Jargely attended. Among the guests were Mr Lowe, Mr Gladstone, Earl Granville, Mr Foster, Mr Ghichester Fortescue, Mr Cardwell, Mr Goschen, Mr Lewis, and many others. „,. ■ Mr Cardwell, Secretary of War/replied briefly to a toast to' the navy and volunteers *; he praised the Navy and Volunteers, saying they furnished lessons which civilians might learn ; their country would profit by them. - ■= The Chancellor of ths Exchequer, responding to the usual toast, referred to the war in France as filling the nation with the deepest grief. He discrssed with great clearness the question of^ neutrality, stating the legal view of the case. He asserted that the policy of England was faultless, and satisfactory to both nations. The complaint against Earl Granville by Bernstoff, that England had shown partiality for France, had been disproved. It was quite natural, under the circumstances, for Prussia to make this charge. England during the Crimean war;. complained of Prussia for supplying arms to the enemy ; England was now satisfied that the charge, was unjust. He would,', though, say there was much human nature in the sympathy for a nation defending its existence, rather than for one seeking for military glory, the career of which was prosperous. The Chancellor closed with a reference to education under the new laws. Mr Gladstone, responding to the toast of the Ministers, proposed by the* Lord Mayor, said he was thoroughly gratified to receive in that place, from the first Magistrate of the city, an approval of his course. The changes had been many since last year, but they were mainly outBide the country. England_hadmpved in another direction — that ofallouristrinsrevenue and reviving trade,, withoftt any changes. A startling and unexampled war had, in two months, cost more bloodshed and treasure than in any corresponding period. A year could not replace the losses of wa&; the war appealed to duty as well as to feeling. England had loyally maintained her neutrality, and she must appeal to the future for justice. The current of associations of both belligerents is always to abandon in such a crisis to excitement, and re- - sentments were inevitable: bjit must allow for expression* of anger. ■ TWie two nations were equally friends, and they would shortly apologise and do as justice. He referred to the late peace endeavors, and hoped an early peace were still possible — a peace satisfying Germany, which was clearly the stronger nation and the Power assailed, and a peace which should not wound the susceptibilities of the gallant French nation — a peace founded on the best con- • victions of civilized humanity and lasting tranqnility to Europe. He attracted attention from this to other important topics, of which the Government was not unmindful. "When Parliament* met, it would be found the Government would be ready to deal with many questions long unsettled. The Mayor had said the Ministers had fulfilled their duty ; it. must be admitted, however, that . Parliamentary business was behind hand ; *admiuistrative as well as legislative duties ■were to be performed, and the defence of the country provided for. England had much to learn, and must obtain experience and peace ; simultaneously to • such ' objects, her attention should be directed. Earl Granville responded to a toast of " The Lords." He said the original deep anxiety in regard to England's duty in the war . had been diminished, by the policy adopted. He defended the Ministers against the charge that a more ■ decided attitude might have shortened the war, but Parliament would disapprove the use of any such'" words the Government was unprepared to stand by, Certain efforts made by England to localize the wi?r were successful ; each step taken was kept in view, in order that the influence of England might be retained for other opportunities for pacific intentions. The Queen had personally appealed to the King of Prussia on the subject of the war, and, in view of the meeting between Count Bismarck and Tliiers, proper representations were made by each of them. Subsequently the Governtnentffe.lt justified in seeking to prevent the bombardment of Paris. She was encouraged by Bismarck's circular on the resulting horrors if the bombardment occurred, and apparently invited the interference of neutrals. Prussia has proved that she was willing to** concede an* armistice for the election of the French Assembly ; France was willing, too, and he deplored, dut would not discuss the failure of the attempt to bring about this result. He complimented the Press of England for aiding peace efforts, and for^ts enterprise regarding the history of tlTe war. The, Government was unadvised , as J;6 the courseof the latenegotiationsanol the* cause of the rupture. The Government, wanted honorable and permanent peace ; it wanted Germany strong and united ;" and »it wanted France saved from further humiliation. Referring to Chjyna, he*read a telegram received at the Tftfeign Office,, announcing that these was no%>nger any« danger to foreigners in the northern •dis-^ tricts. ■ r- ■ r ' - After two or three other* toasts ' and speeches the party separated. A telegram from London, of November 12th, given in a New York paper, says— ? " The whole tide of .popular feeling now in England is rnnning»strongly in favor of the French. Times, feeling this influence, has changed its tone, and urges Germany to make peace, and withdraw from- France, while she may do with safety.. This feeling is partly due to the horror excited by the barbarous and wholly unjustifiable conduct of the Prussians in attempting to suppress popular resistance in France, and partly to the rapidly growing Conviction that England will be the next victim of German ambition. The speech of the Lord Chief Baron, the other day, which declared that Austria would lie prostrate before Ger- I many, that Russia will be compelled to barter her Baltic ports for Constantinople, and that England, being only Bafe so long* as she remains mistri&s of the seas, must arm herself for a desperate struggle, has produced great alarm and dismay, and a ' hearty wish for the repulse of the Ger- : mana and the triumph of France. •