[SPECIAL TO "MELBOURNE AGE."]

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 180, 27 November 1886, Page 2

[SPECIAL TO "MELBOURNE AGE."]

Mr Gladstone on tbe Crisis. Mr Gladstone has written a reply to the note from the Bulgarian Deputies appealing for his assistance against the aggression of Bueeia. Mr Gladstone states that he entertains the hope that the Czar -will maintain the noble policy adopted by his father with regard to Bulgaria. He further remarks that he has not attempted hitherto to interfere in the crisis which has arisen, because he is confident that the Marquis of Salisbury,

the course which he haB pursued In 'relation to the matter, faithfully represents the BentimentB of the people of England.

Vigorous Ministerial Utterances. London, November 10. — The speeches delivered at the annual banquet given by the Lord Mayor of London, in Guildhall, last evening, were of an exceedingly interesting character. The Marquis of Salisbury, in replying to a toast of the Ministry, made a vigorous speech, in which he referred very outspoken to the leading question at present engaging the attention of the Great Powers. He stated that affairs in relation to the Irish and Egyptian questions were assuming a more satisfactory aspect. Referring to the Eastern crisis, Lord Salisbury declared that some Bulgarian officers had been debauched by means of foreign gold, and induced to lend themselves to the plot of kidnapping Prince Alexander. England, he said, could not be considered to have an isolated duty to perform in maintaining the Berlin Treaty, whilst the Powers mainly concerned in preventing any infraction of its provisions remained apathetic ; but whenever England was directly menaced, she would trust to her own right arm, and ask no advice nor assistance from any other Power. The speech of the Prime Minister evoked enthusiastic applause and approval from the assembled company, and tuo press are unanimous in warmly commending the views expressed. It is predicted that the deliverance will greatly strengthen the hands of Austria in the present crisis. Lord George Hamilton, F^rsfc Lord of the Admiralty, delivered a speech on the occasion, in which he declared that the British navy was superior to the combined fleets of the three next greatest naval powers of Europa. Mr Smith, Secretary for War, also spoke, and during his remarks expressed reliance upon assistance being freely offered by the colonies in case of England becoming involved in war.