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431 9
c: ajority of earnest working men in London, Bedford and
North Wales, where I have lately been, I have no doubt. I
can only find one feeling. "
(1)
The emphasis was on
the fact that Liberal voters of the working clauses were
solidly opposed to the war, - Labouchere wrote, "The
country is in the main against the war, - certainly the
working classes are. Faul told no he addressed a day or
two ago, the Liberal Council at Birmingham. lie went
against the war, but he found that his audience wore
more against it than he wasp. "
(2)
Liberal observers
were of course noting events in different parts of the
country. The disparity in their views may be explained
by the fact that superficially most Liberale would be
bound to think that the South African situation did not
justify a war, and would condemn the diplomacy of the
Government; but on deeper analysis all varieties of
pro- and anti-ioerism and support for imperial expansion
would be found.
(1) Bryce EMS. Bodleian Library, Box on South African War,
J. Roberts to Eryco, 10th October 1999,
(2) Korbart O]. dntone E'S3. ADD. M 5.46,016, Labouchoro to
Gladstone, 12th October 17'99o