LORD ROSEBERY.

Waikato Argus, Volume I, Issue 41, 13 October 1896, Page 2

LORD ROSEBERY.

WHY HE RESIGNED. London, October 10. Lord Rosebeby addressed a public meeting at Edinburgh last night. There was an immense gathering, and the speaker received a great ovation. Among those on those platform were Messrs Asquith, late Home Secretary ; Bryce, ex-President of the Board of Trade ; Fowler, ex-Secretary of State for India ; Arnold Morl»y, ex-Postmastcr-General, and John B. Balfour, ex-Lord Advocate for Scotland, besides many Liberal members of the House of Commons. His Lordship delivered a powerful speech, which was received with great enthusiasm. Referring to the Eastern question, he warmly remarked that in the matter of reform Armenia needed guidance not stimulus, and he passed unmeasured censure on the Sultau and the ruffianly Kurds. The remedy he said, whatever shape it was to take, must cover the entire Eastern question. Many of the suggested remedies were futile, and to his mind dangerous, and he disagreed with all those proposed by Mr Gladstone. The suggested deposition of the Sultan was illusory, and to recall the British Ambassador would be unwise. That would be a great affront, and would only help in drifting into war. It would be useless to threaten the Sultau aud then withdraw from the position. He discouraged the transfer of Turkey to Russia, but was willing to surrender Cyprus to anyone except Turkey if it was likely to secure concerted action in settling the difficulty. He combated the opinion that the Powers were determined to fight if Great Britain acted alonp, and at the same time he doubted whether the colonics were enthused with the war spirit. The Armenians, more probably were like the Americans, and would prefer diplomacy in the redress of their grievances, which were not vital to themselves. Concerted action was, he said, the only panacea for the Eastern question, and it was impossible to long postpone action. The House of Peers was impatient in the matter, hut was averse to taking action unless vigorously supported inside and outside Parliament. To Mr Gladstone he gave the coup de grace because he never desired to appear in sharp conflict with a venerated friend. He said he had received a long and affectionate letter from Mr Gladstone on the matter, and in concluding he thanked the colleagues with whom he had been associated in the leadership of the party. He specially mentioned M«* Asquith. The latter in reply said Lord Rosebery had supreme claims to the leadership, and was the only successor of Mr Gladstone. A vote of confidence was passed and His Lordship was asked to reconsider his decision. Lord Rosebery said he had resigned after mature reflection, and he considered the step necessary. His speech is considered as likely to seriously embarrass Sir Wm. V. Harcourt's position. Lord Rosebery, in referring to reform in Armenia received great enthusiasm. His Lordship said that reforms needed guidance from Australia. He also said that ever since the elections his colleagues had held his resignation. In the course of an interview Lord Rosebery, referring to his resignation of the Liberal leadership, said the situation had been untenable for some time. He had determined to resign after Mr Gladstone's attitude on the Eastern question. Fully 12,000 were unable to gain admittance at the meeting addressed by Lord Rosebery. Many proinineut Liberals urge His Lordship not to retire.