THE DEBATE ON THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 43, 19 February 1878, Page 4

THE DEBATE ON THE QUEEN'S SPEECH.

[Per Saa Francisco Mail.] In ihe debate on the address in the House of Lords, Earl Graavillß said the utterances of Lord Beacoßsfield during the recess had beeu coached in the tones, of a balligerent neutrality, and bad differed from the sentiments expressed by his colleagues. He sail if the assurance given by Russia' in regard to British interests were unsatisfactory, Parliament should have been called together immediately. If they were satisfactory, the only effact of summoning Parliament now waß the the caose of a feeling of insecurity. Lord Beaconsfield said the summons to the Parliament was issued when thsre first appeared an opportunity for the inauguration of peace negotiations. The Porte's appeal to England to intimate her readiness to open peace negotiatione was in a measure at the instance of the British Government, although at the same time it was spontaneously adopted by the Porte. Lord Beaconsfield repudiated tho newspaper statements concerning the Government policy, and strongly repudiated the accusation of divisions in the Cabinet when the Government, upon mature deliberation, had decided upon a policy of neutrality. They were not influenced by considerations in regard to Kara and Batoucn, but had to cooeider the policy and conditions of many other countries. The Government never varied from the decision (hey at first arrived at. He declared he hsd written no letters upon public affairs during the recess. He haf, with his colleagues' approval, declared the Government's policy to be one of conditional neutrality. Lord Derby's felicitous statement that the greatest British interest is peace, was a rhetorical expression, but Lord Granville seemed to take it aa a statement of fact. He did not think the Government, fey defining British interest, justified the imputation of selfishness., as all countries frankly declared they were actuated by the same motives. He did not admit that the Government's having summoned Parliament imposed upon them the duty of immediately explaining the apprehensions which caused them to do bo. Negotiations had been brought about which might or might not be successful. The Government considered there wera British interests which must not be endangered. If the contest went on, if Parliament approved of the policy of conditional neutrality and the guarding of these interests, the least it could do was to give the Government the means of guarding them. Lord Beaconsfield pointed to the opening of the present negotiation as a proof that England was not isolated or uoinfluential. There was another kiad of isolation besides that arising from decay. At the beginning of the century England alone asserted her national independence; and if the same cause was a^ain at stake, or if any power again threatened the world with predominance iatal to national liberty, he felt confident that the House would not fear a charge of being isolated if it stood alone in raaiataipiDg such cause, and fighting for British interests. He concluded ne follows :— *' If 7 in the negotiations British influence is increased (as God grant it may) I express that tho sentiments of the Government are in the interests of humanity, and for securing an enduring peace. But if we are called upon to defend the rights and interests of England — if our present hopes and prospects of peace are unrealised — if there are circumstances that demand that we should appeal again and again to Parliament for tho means of vindicating our honor and maintaining the interests of our country — I am certain Government will never fail to take that course." (Loud cheers.) The Duke of Argyle said Lor J Bsaconefield's speech wsb brilliant but evasive. It was a-significent fact that it made no mention of the independence and integrity of the Ottoman Empire. *; In the House of Commons, in the debate on the address io reply to the Queen's speech, jhe Marquis of Hartingt^D repeated hie accu9ntion that Government wilfully assumed a position of isolation, and it wna not el.«nr whether the Government's appeal to the liberality of Parliament waa immediate or contingent with a view fo the further prosecuuo:) of tho war. Thfie ware grave objections to such a course. The speech wi«s so v^iia that it se-jme.i either as if the Government kn^-.v whir tho unoxp?ctei one m raiic.'-i thav m utioned w«r-, a .id wishe! to bruit.' them o:s, or wero joaipiing tha Tuikd to further resiblaunp, Sir Stafford Norlhcoiß compliincJ of tho Opposition's persistent ni'^representation of the Government policy in alleging the Government had n fixe.! determination to go to war on bahalf of Turkey. As regarding (heir aliened isolation, Eaglaud whb in tho sumo position as other neutral Puvvere, aud would speak out when it n/aa deemed necessary. Government did not know what tha Ruasiaa proposals for pnnie would bo. They had at present uu proposal to make themselves. If the Russian proposals in any way iiffccied the arrangeineut between tha European Powers lhay must receive the ussaui of these powers. The positiou of the Government was one of considerable delicacy and anxiety. They had no proposals to make at present, but thought it right to say it might, become their duty to put themselves in a position to take the necessary precautions. They were as ansious as any one io avoid the horrors of war, and to feiop tho present

conflict j but at the same time they believDd now it was time when, by props!' action, they could prevent further embroilment. The Government had no secret intentions, but could not hope for success unless they had support frooj Parliamouf. Mr Gladstone asked if he rightly understood that Government had no proposals to make in regard to a grant until ihey knew the Russian conditions ? Sir S. Nortbcoto replied affirmatively. Ha did not wish to enter into the esanl; circumstances into which the interests defined are threatening, but be knew the v?avea of war would approach closely tho localities indicated. He concluded :— "lf you will not trust the Government, provide yourself with a Government that you will trust. If you trust Government provide it with proper means of carrying out youir confidence." The address was then agreed to The Times, in a leading editorial, saye :— " Nothing more satisfactory to the country with respect to the immediate coursa of public affairs could hove occurred than the declarations of yesterday triads in the Qaeen'e speech an welt as by the Ministerial leaders in the two Houses of Parliament. The alarmti recently raised respecting the possibility of a warlike policy being adopted by the Government may now be finally dismiesed." A movement is imminent on the part of Germany to obtain the seaboard under conditions which would seriously affect England. This consideration is having great influence in the Cabinet on the side of those who advocate that England is reserving her strength. Some deeply important information har just baea received, leading to the conviction that a warlike policy on the part of England would be the fore- I runner of more serious complications near borne. Tho route in Asia via the Suez Caufil ia etill untbreatened, as it is England's exclusive domain. Russia still maintains that Constantinople ought not to belong under any circumstances to any great Power. The Agenee points out that Eussia haa protected the interests of the frontier Slates co well tbat Austria has resisted direct Bppeala to her for action both from home and abroad, and Russia will continue to protect those interests. The Agenee after stating that every victorious belligerent usb a right to a war indemnify, concludes as follows: — *' Russia, in accordance with usage and with equity, has a right to conclude peace directly with Turkey; while at the same sima protecting the interests of foreign States and other Powers, particularly of England. Any preliminary convention which might be entered upon might be submitted to a congress. Russia does uot believe in any line of policy which will make intervention ia the existing war necessary, and is decidedly opposed to assisting Turkey, it England is once entangled Bhe cunaot extricate herself. The present Ministry will be certain to go in case war ia declared, and Lord Beaconsfield will he as unfortunate as Lord Aberdeen was in venturing iuto the Crimean war." Rusaiau influence in affairs in Europe has rinen, and English iufluen.ee has declined. The substitution of Greek interests for those of Turkey would become popular in England if it were a practical scheme.