Page:Dictionary of National Biography, Second Supplement, volume 2.djvu/229

 in the house and in the country on the attitude of the government towards the war between Turkey and Greece. His sympathies lay with Greece, and he urged the annexation of Crete to that country. In the result Crete was liberated from Turkey, and a Christian administrator. Prince George of Greece, was made high commissioner. A political tour in East Scotland followed in November, in the course of which he addressed large audiences. Harcourt stayed with Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman at Belmont Castle, receiving the freedom of Dundee (25 Nov.), and he revisited Kirkcaldy, the scene of his first parliamentary contest. During 1898 he constantly discussed the position of China. There at first he supported Lord Salisbury's policy of 'the open door' and the preservation of the integrity of China. But he opposed the lease by the British government of Wei-hai-wei (5 April) and attacked the government (29 April) for accepting the principle of spheres of influence in place of a recognition of commercial freedom and equal rights of all nations. In the House of Commons on 20 May, the day after Gladstone's death, he paid an eloquent and touching tribute to his old friend and leader, and at Gladstone's funeral in Westminster Abbey (28 May 1898) he acted as a pall-bearer.

Shortly afterwards he turned from current politics to ecclesiastical controversy. In stubbornly opposing the government's benefices bill through June, he resumed his early role of champion of protestantism and alleged a conspiracy in the Church of England to overthrow the principles of the Reformation. After the passing of the bill, until the end of the year he continued the controversy in letters to 'The Times' on 'Lawlessness in the Church,' which he collected in a volume called 'The Crisis in the Church.' He accused the clergy of violating the vows under which they were ordained. Harcourt's attack on ritualism excited a wide discussion and led to the prohibition by the bishops of some ritualistic practices which were current in advancal churches. The decision of the two archbishops against the ceremonial use of incense and processional lights (Aug. 1899) brought forth a triumphant letter from Harcourt in 'The Times.' During the parliamentary recess of 1898 Harcourt's public appearances were rare, but at Aberystwith on 26 Oct., where he opened the new University College buildings, and at the City of London's banquet to Lord Kitchener on 4 Nov. he commended the handling by the government of the Fashoda difficulty. Meanwhile Harcourt's relations with the imperialistic section of his party who continued to regard Lord Rosebery as leader were growing increasingly strained. His authority was questioned through what he called the 'sectional disputes and personal interests' which divided the ranks.

On 8 Dec. he startled the public mind by announcing in a letter to Mr. Morley his resignation of the leadership of the liberal party in the House of Commons and his resolution to 'undertake no responsibility and to occupy no position the duties of which it is made impossible for me to fulfil.' His retirement was followed by that of Mr. Morley, who, in a speech to his constituents at Brechin on 17 Jan. 1899, announced his withdrawal from active participation in the policy of the front opposition bench. At a meeting of the liberal party in the Reform Club on 6 Feb. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman was elected Harcourt's successor in the leadership. Fine tributes were then paid to Harcourt, and, in addition to the formal resolution of regret, the meeting expressed 'its continued confidence in him.' But experience showed that there was small likelihood of his maintaining the unity of the party.

As a private member Harcourt showed from time to time activity in criticism of the government. He condemned the suspension of the sinking fund in April 1899 and scorned an imperial policy which failed to pay its way. At the beginning of May he supported the church discipline bill. At a dinner of the Welsh parliamentary party (6 May) he vehemently advocated, in opposition to advice which Lord Rosebery had lately tendered the party, the old programme of reform, and on 31 May, in a speech at Nantyglo, he urged England to develop her present possessions rather than increase her obligations by the addition of new ones.

Of the difficulties with the Transvaal Harcourt took a judicial view. He allowed the need of internal reform, but on the outbreak of war (Oct. 1899), while he condemned in the House of Commons the Boer ultimatum, he declared that he was not satisfied that the course pursued by the government had been 'in every respect most conducive to peace.' His prophecy that the war would cost 100,000,000l. was received with derision by the tones. On 30 Jan. 1900 he supported the vote of censure on the conduct of the war and blamed the government for basing their