In the Lords, after Lord Fingall had moved the Address,
in a formal speech, and Lord Wenlock had seconded it, in one equally formal, but a little better, Lord Salisbury rose to attack the Ministry on all points. They "had expanded a financial control into a political control in Egypt," had repudiated the authority of the Porte, had done both without the co-operation of the great German Powers, and might, if they agreed to a Congress, find the Suez Canal neutralised—that is, closed to their ships-of-war—when Russia was "almost at the portals of their Indian Empire." He ridiculed the reference to the weather — which may make a difference of £20,000,000 to the tenant- farmers—and then turned to Ireland, insisting that the Land Act had been carried through the Lords by the false pretence that it would not reduce rent. The Government had appointed Commissioners pledged to reduction, and had kept the country in ignorance of the real intention of the Bill. " If coercion is not natural to Liberals, they acclimatise to it very readily," and are now keeping 500 men in prison and 60,000 troops in Ireland — there are only 40,000—and still outrages and insecurity increase. " Vigorous measures, suited to an abnormal and terrible situation, must be adopted," for if there be more delay, the evils will have passed the point at which they can be cured. Lord Salisbury's speech was throughout fiery, able, and reckless, as if he were not steadied by any imminent fear of office.
