MR GLADSTONE'S OPINION.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3440, 3 January 1880, Page 3

MR GLADSTONE'S OPINION.

The Paris Caulios claims to have interviewed Mr Gladstone, during hiijate visit there with Beau Stanley, and it represents him as having replied questions substantially aa follows :— The difficulties being encountered by England in Afghanistan were her own work and the responsibility for them could not be thrown on others. When in office he endeavored, and believed with success to establish amicable, relations with Russia, and though English policy had changed hands, he firmly' hoped the good sense of the two nations would avoid a conflict which would be very onerous for England." The material difficulties of such a war were enormous, and where would Russia's vulnerable point be found P Immense deserts severed Russia from India, where there was really nothing to fear, and the Russians had a difficult task in preserving and strengthening their conquests in Turkestan. As to tbe German alliance with Austria, the immediate object was certainly Russia, whom Prince Bismarck wished to restrain; but its' nature must not be exaggerated, for tbe Prince was a man who did not hesitate to throw aside tools no longer needed and would abandon a nation as readily as he bad done German parties. He saw no reason to fear a German attack on franco. In Continental politics, England, when not shut up in a circle of selfish ideas, leaned towards the country .attacked; but she was not inclined to definite alliances, her geographical position giving her a kind of moral impartiality, which she ought to exercise only for the interests of peace and civilization. This was also his own view, which he explained in Parliament on the fall of the first Palmerstou Cabinet. Hβ bad always j been favorable to an entente cordialt be* tween England and France, and warmly ! desired more intimate relations between ' them. They might act together for useful objects; but an accord could not exist for culpable enterprises. They had made a mistake in Egypt, but he did not know which Cabinet was in fault. Turkey should not have, been allowed.to revive the right of disposition, for she'; had oOt' sufficient independence for such a prerogative, and the exclusion of other European Powers from ihnj control and protection of thoir /liTterests was not a good principle. Aa to the Suez Canal, the Beaconsfield Cabinet had acted unwisely in buying the Viceroy's shares, for though a great.hit, it had been the source of other imprudences. ' As to the route to India, let England preserve her supremacy at sea ; that will suffice to insure our communications with our great Eastern dependency." i '-, : '