The long-expected debates on the Eastern policy of the Govern-
ment came off in both Houses on Monday night. We have analysed the discussion in the Commons—which was principally remarkable for an exhaustive and most statesmanlike speech from Mr. Gladstone—elsewhere, but we must add here that Lord Hartington, though overshadowed by Mr. Gladstone, made a long speech, weakened by his evident idea that Russia and Austria had departed from neutrality in permitting their subjects to assist the Servians. Ile made a most energetic protest against the laxity of the Government in regard to Turkish atrocities, holding that the Pashas ought to have been told that unless those out- rages ceased, their last chance of finding friends in Europe would be over. He refused to condemn the policy of her Majesty's Government on other points, but hinted strongly that it had failed, inasmuch as it had obtained from Turkey nothing but promises, and had not only not preserved peace, but had brought on war by rejecting the Berlin Note. The policy running through the speech appears to be, like Mr. Gladstone's, to restore the accord of the Powers, but to secure guarantees for good govern- ment from Turkey, in preference to acknowledging the autonomy of the Christian provinces.
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