Sir Richard Cross made a speech at Penritb, • on Thursday,.
which even his own friends must have regarded as most foolish. Its drift was that the Government were sure to go wrong in all parts of the world, and, therefore, the country must watch them closely. They were in the wrong in Egypt, in promising to retire ; in South Africa, in restoring Cetewayo ; in Afghani- stan, where " Russian emissaries " were again arriving; in Ireland, where their policy had produced anarchy ; in India, about the Ebert Bill; in short, everywhere. He suspected they were in the wrong in China. "They could not but view with alarm the prospects of a war between France and China. It was for the Government to deal with that question, but if it were not settled to the satisfaction of the British nation, com- ments would be made, in spite of what Lord Hartington might say, and the Government would be called to account." It is difficult to believe that the man who delivers that pre- posterous sentence was a leading member of the last Tory Cabinet and has been spoken of for the leadership in the Commons of his great party. There was not in his speech one -trace of " light and leading," or even of a thorough comprehen- sion of the problems before the country.
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