Mr. Chamberlain on Old Age Pensions-Mr. Morley, Lord Spencer and Sir Wm. Harcourt on the Liberal Party-The Bloemfontein Conference-The South African Imbroglio-Mr. Robson's Bill-Grant and Vote of Thanks to Lord Kitchener in Parliament-London Government Bill-Illegal Commissions Bill-The Telephone Bill-Lord C. Beresford on British Policy in China- The Indian Tariff Bill-Youthful Offenders Bill-The London Government in the Lords-The Tithe Rent Charge Bill-The Bye-elections-Mr. Balfour and Mr. Chamberlain on the South African Crisis-Sir H. Campbell-Banner- man on the Liberal Party-Legislation by the Lords and Commons-The Niger Company and Mr. Chamberlain-The Transvaal Dispute-Debates in Parliament-Irish Agriculture and Technical Instruction-Colonial Loans Bill-Board of Education-The Indian Budget-Old Age Pensions, Commit- tee's Report-Prorogation of Parliament-Convocation and the Clergy-The Public Interest in the Dreyfus Case-Church Troubles-Transvaal Blue-book-- Colonial Sympathy with Government-Mr. Chamberlain's Highbury Speech -Boer Conditional Offer- British "Qualified Acceptance "-Boer Withdrawal -British Despatch of September 8-Negative Boer Reply-Some Criticism, but General Support, of Government Policy-"Interim Despatch" of Septem- ber 23-Mr. Balfour and the Duke of Devonshire on the Crisis-Last Hopes of Peace-Military Preparations-Boer Ultimatum-Autumn Session-Great Ministerial Majorities-Public Confidence about the War-Disappointments --Lord Rosebery's Stimulating Speeches-Ministers at the Mansion House- Speeches by Mr. Bryce, Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, and Mr. Asquith-Lord Methuen's Successes-German Emperor's Visit-French Press Insults-Mr. Chamberlain's Leicester Speeches-Khalifa's Defeat and Death--The "Black Week" of Reverses-Patriotic Enthusiasm at Home and in the Colonies- Fresh Military Measures-Venezuelan Arbitration-Political Party Resolu- PREFATORY NOTE. THE Editor of the ANNUAL REGISTER thinks it neces- State of Affairs Abroad and at Home-Foreign Policy-Mr. Morley's Defence of the "little Englander "-Dissensions of the Liberal Leaders-Mr. Morley, Mr. Asquith and Sir E. Grey-Mr. Balfour at Manchester-The Crisis in the Church-The Madagascar Blue Book-The Settlement of the Soudan- THE position of Great Britain in the councils of Europe had been considerably altered by the events of the preceding year; but, whilst the new year opened under aspects externally peace- ful, there was in reality little relaxation of the tension which had lasted so long. The Czar's invitation to induce the statesmen of Europe to make peace the primary aim of their policy was regarded as delusive, or denounced as chimerical. On the other hand, the hope of a better understanding with the United States of America, and the prospect of establishing more cordial relations with their politicians seemed the dawn of a brighter period for Great Britain, of which the isolation in the European Concert was more than ever patent. The Nile campaign with its corol- lary, the Fashoda incident, had stirred the permanent but latent ill-will of France, where a war-cry was anxiously awaited which would unite the contending factions. In Germany the word had been given from high quarters that British policy in South Africa and elsewhere was to be supported, but public sentiment was as hostile as ever, and trade rivalry as keenly pressed. Towards Russia, which with one hand was signing invitations to a peace congress and with the other was threatening the existence of the Chinese Empire, no cordial co-operation seemed possible so long as the words of her ruler and the deeds of his ministers were at variance. Turkey was momentarily unobtrusive, and had become once more the open field of foreign financiers, seeking from their respective Governments support for their rival schemes. The European Concert had, after much delay, succeeded in obtaining the reality, and not merely the form, of an autonomy for the Cretans, and the island was at length placed under the responsible government of a Christian ruler. South Africa was still the most unsettled portion of the empire, the racial differences of the British and Afrikander settlers becoming more accentuated as questions of supremacy or preponderance arose. In the Transvaal, where the feeling was most marked, a growing feeling of impatience was noticeable on both sides; and the murder of a British subject, and the subsequent acquittal of the murderer, further embittered the relations of the two nationalities. Little apparent change had come over the position of political parties at home. The withdrawal of Sir Wm. Harcourt and Mr. Morley from the counsels of the Liberal leaders had been received with equanimity by the rank and file of their own party. Lord Rosebery's chief aim was to mark his dissociation from their views on foreign policy, whilst reserving to himself the right to act with them in the criticism of the domestic policy of the Government. By general consent the question of the party leadership was left in abeyance until the meeting of Parliament; in other words, until arrangements could be made by which her Majesty's Opposition could be rendered most effective during the ensuing session. The most noteworthy incident of this campaign was the issue of a manifesto by the long-dormant Cobden Club in favour of the policy of the "open door," which, if necessary, was to be blown open by artillery. Whilst recognising the right of foreign Powers to settle their own tariffs in their own way in their own territories and possessions, "we cannot recognise that they have a similar right in countries now passing from under their control, and where Englishmen have already established interests." How far the Cobden Club represented any body of opinion in Lancashire or elsewhere it would be difficult to say, or whether this manifesto was merely the personal opinion of Lord Farrer, who made use of the name of a great economist to give weight to his own opinions. If the Cobden Club had any existence as a political influence, and had endorsed its president's views, it was only evidence that the Liberal party was more imperialist in its sentiments than the detractors of Lord Rosebery imagined. It was not unreasonable, however, for the representatives of British manufacture to desire to see their interests better protected than had been the case in Mada gascar, where our treaty rights were deliberately set aside by the French. They were therefore anxious that in the general scramble for "derelict" territory all over the world the acquisitions of continental Powers should not be fenced in with protectionist barriers. From this point of view the Cobden |