DIFFERENCES IN THE CABINET.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 4, 27 October 1877, Page 3

DIFFERENCES IN THE CABINET.

Rkmarkint. on the known differences in the British Cabinet on the Eastern question, the London correspondent of the " Sydney Morning Herald " says:" There are two distinct camps, as widely separated within the walls of Downing-street as they an' outside. Lord Beaconsfield's anti-Russian—one might almost describe it as pro-Turkish—-policy has two powerful supporters in Lord Cairns and Mr. Hardy, and Lord Carnarvon is a capital henchman to the Gladstonianism of Lord Salisbury. The two most recent incidents within the Cabinet will illustrate how strongly the two parties pull against each other. The sending of the fleet to Besika Bay is one step towards the attainments of the Premier's plans, but it may he regarded as certain that if those plans are persisted in Lord Salisbury will separate from his colleagues. It was difficult for him to agree to the sending of the fleet to Besika Bay. I am assurred that ho absolutely tendered his resignation over the proposal to ask for more money, and it is expected on all hands that if his desire to place no obstacle in the way of Russia be thwarted by the future policy of his colleagues, he will withdraw from the Cabinet • • • If Lord Salisbury withdraws from the Cabinet, and if. M

in not improbable, Lord Carnarvon fott with him,the Government will look at "British interaet»" with a magnifying glass, and it will require little provocation from Russia to draw \m into the unlet On the other bund, if the St. II . G eminent dvti nuilie to uako a speedy peace, and to keep their .iimii's clear of Constantinople, the British tieet will go no farther East than Besika Bay, an.! the :SU,OOO men wlio are equipped and ready for despatch from the British shores at a 'lay's notice will remain where they are, England will not fight for Turkey, that is certain. The old cry for maintaining the independence and integrity of the Ottoman Empire was stifled by Turkish barbarities in Bulgaria, That ancient doctrine tried to struggle into activity at the Constantinople Conference, but Lord Salisbury strangled it. and it has now gone to the winds. It has been succeeded on the part of England and Austria by the narrower creed of self-interest.