Lord R. Churchill on Wednesday evening made a declaration on
foreign policy, considered on the Continent to be of some import- ance. After floods of talk from the Parnellites about the Fahy case, which is a case for the tribunals, and not for Parliament, Mr. Cremer (Haggerston) started a foreign debate. He wanted a declaration that Government should do nothing " strong " abroad without previously consulting Parliament, and was particularly anxious about Bulgaria, and about a rumour that we were to allow Russia to enter Constantinople in consideration of the annexation of Egypt. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, after arguing the Constitutional question in few but well-chosen words, as unlike his usual style as words could be, replied to Mr. Cremer with great seriousness. The Government would in no way depart from precedent. The situation in Bulgaria was critical. "No, I will not say critical, but serious, which may become critical." The Government had been applauded by all parties for its former conduct in Bulgaria, and had therefore some claim to the confidence of the country. It was totally unable, without doing mischief, to explain the situation—which, however, the newspapers were not interpreting rightly—but if it became necessary to take action, Parliament would be called together. The "aim of the Government is to maintain in an efficient form the concert of Europe, with a view to the preserva- tion of the peace of Europe." That speech leaves an impres- sion that some scheme is in preparation ; but what can it possibly be ? The concert of Europe ! Was Lord Randolph repeating a formula, or is everybody to have something, and to lie down to sleep while the something is digested?
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