The event of the week has been a Conference at
Manchester of 1,500 delegates from cities, towns, and great organisations, to protest against the impending war with Russia. The Conference, which met on Tuesday, passed unanimously resolutions of the strongest character. The first condemns the " policy of menace and warlike demonstration adopted by the Government on the Eastern Question," and the introduction of Sepoys into Europe, and the concealment of that unprecedented act until Parliament had risen for the Easter Recess. The second accepts without reserve Lord Derby's declaration that the measures "on which the Government have decided 'are neither prudent, in the inter- ests of European peace, nor necessary for the safety of the country, nor warranted by the state of matters abroad ;' and in- dignantly protests against the adoption by the Government of measures which could drive from the Cabinet one of the ablest of the Queen's counsellors,' who retired, rather than incur any responsibility for their violent precipitancy." The third declares that, considering the whole action of Govern- ment, which is stated in detail, "the Government of Lord Beacons- field is a fatal obstacle to the peace and international amity, freedom, and independence of the oppressed nationalities, and a standing menace to the honour, interest, and liberties of the British people." The fourth and fifth demand a Congress or a refer- ence of the whole quarrel to a friendly Power, under Protocol 23 of the Treaty of Paris, appended on the initiative of Lord Clarendon.
