The Earl of Beaconsfield in the House of Lords.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2997, 23 September 1878, Page 2

The Earl of Beaconsfield in the House of Lords.

London, July 18.—Lord Beaconsfield, on entering the old palace yard on his 1 way to the House of Lords, about five 1 o'clock this afternoon, was heartily • cheered by a great crowd which had assembled there to greet him. He, experienced much difficulty in passing through the throng, though accompanied by a squad of police. Public interest in the promised statement by Earl Beaconsfield attracted a large and distinguished assembly in the House of Lords, including the Princess of Wales and other members of the Koyal Family. When Lord Beaconsfield entered, there was considerable cheering. He looked well, and betrayed no special feeling at his brilliant reception. About five minutes later Lord Beaconsfield rose amid loud cheering. He said that in laying upon the table the protocols of the Treaty of Berlin he should be only doing his duty to .the House, to Parliament and the country, by making some remarks upon the policy supported by the British representatives in the Congreis. He.could show that in the changes which were made in the Treaty "of San SteFano bj the Treaty of Berlin that a menace tc the independence of Europe bad been removed and threatened injury to tht British Empire terminated. The Con gress had restored to the Sultan two-thirds of his.possessions, the population being amongst the wealthy and intelligent oJ his subjects. It was said that when the Congress talked of establishing the Balkan frontiers of what may be 1 called New Turkey, they were establishing an indefensible frontier, but it was upon courage and intrepidity that' impregnability depended, and it would be found that if left to'those who defended Plevna the frontier could not.be made indefensible. It wat said that the position of Sofia was yielded to the imperious demands of one of the Powers. He could assure their Lordships that there was not a shadowof trutb in this statement. Moreover, a personage high in authority had 9tated that it was •quite erroneous to suppose that Sofia was U strong .strategic position. It had alsc been said that the Congress made a great mistake in not securing Varna'for Turkey; but those who blame the Congress foi committing an error in this respect quite forget that they have allotted to Turkey the harbor of Galatz, by far the most important in the Black 6ea. With regard to Eastern Eoumelia it was at one time suggested to call it South Bulgaria^ but it was feared there might be some intriguing parties who would endeavour to bring about a union between the two States, so possibly creating fresh complications. Lord Beaconsfield furthei stated that the opinion above mentioned that Sofia was not a strong strategical position was that of Mehemet AH Pasha, who,, however, considered the pass, oi Achtilan, which the-Congress secured tc the Sultan, as vitally important. Lord Beaconsfield's statement showed throughout strong bias in favor of the Turks, Thus he almost apologised for the limitation of the Sultan* authority in Eastern Bumelia, saying: As a general rule it was thought unwise to interfere with, a military power which you acknowledge; yet, in consideration of the many awful events of which Eastern Rumelia has been the scene, it had been thought advisable, in order to prevent their recurrence, to establish a government somewhat different from that of a Turkish province, .where the Sultan's authority might be called unlimited. No limit, however, had been placed on the force the Sultan might introduce for the defence of Eastern Kurhelia. One of the greatest obstacles to an object on which . the Congress was unanimous, namely, the re-establishment of the Sultan as a real independent authority, was the anarchical condition of Bosnia and neighboring countries. His Lordship, continuing, said the most competent author it es had convinced him that it would have taken 60,000 of Turkey's best troops - to secure any approach to order in Bosnia. Even then the attempt would perhaps | have been unsuccessful, and such an effort must have secured Turkey's absolute ruin. He disclaimed any desire to attribute Austrian occupation to necessity. Submitting to the wishes of" the majority of the Congress, Austria undertook the occupation at the suggestion of. Lord Salisbury, earnestly supported by himself (Lord Beaconsfield). The object- in recommending occupation was to protect Turkey. The Government had consistently resisted the principle of the partition of Turkey, because, exclusive .of the consideration of morality, it believed that an attempt at partition would inevitably lead 'to a long and sanguinary war. The advocates of partition had spoken out:. The Government had been taken up into the mountain and shown ul I the kingdoms of the earth and told, " All these shall be yours if you will only worship partition." [This remark of the Premier seems to be an allusion to a proposal which Prince Bismarck is generally understood to have made, that England should occupy Egypt.] Continuing, he said it was re-

■ » * markable that after a great war and prolonged nt'gotiations all the Powers, Russia as strictly and completely as'the others, had coflie to the unanimous conclusion that the best chance for the,, tranquility of the world was to retain the Sultan as part of the European system. He pointed out that every great war was followed by a redistribution of territory, but that was not partition. Austria had, perhaps, lost more provinces than even Turkey. France lost provinces, but she was still a great Power, with a commanding future. England lost most of her most -precious possessions through bad government—a logs which every Englishman must deplore at this moment, and which would not hare occurred if the principle which now governs her relations with the colonies had been then observed. He defended the policy of a limit not being fixed to Austrian occupation,fas that would have held out hope to the agitators. His Lordship pointed, out that England had; according to promise, obtained a hearing for' Greece, end had made, prior to the Congress, overture! to the Porte, which were received'in 1 more than an encouraging spirit, for such rectification of the frontier as will give Greece a considerable increase of strength and resources aid prevent brigandage.and the I continued dissensions which' are' fostered by the present configuration of the . frontier; but.the Greeks had evidently , quite misapprehended the objects of the Congress. . They were» coveting Constantinople, and talking of accepting large provinces end powerful islands as an instalment of their full claims. Earl Beaconsfield, in summing up ;the general results.of the Treaty as regards European Turkey, pointed out that, exclusive of Bosnia and Bulgaria, she* still contained 6D.0C0 square. miles and a population of 6,C00,C00. When the line of the Balkans was fixed. Prince, Bismarck had said, " Turkey in Europe once more exists." He (Lord Beaconsfield) did not think such results unsatisfactory; or inadequate, even if obtained after a struggle like'that of the Crimea.- Bussia,,only;havingob^ tamed Bessarabia in Europe, naturally looked for Reward to her conquests in Armenia. It was unfair to argue as though the negotiations. relative; to ■ Armenia ' had been. for the conclusion of peace between England and' Russia. Turkey has, by the treaty of Sari-Stefano", already given up Kars, Batoum, etc. If Engknd had gone to war to recover them the war would have been long and expensive, and probably, like' most wars, would have ended in a compromise. Kara had been already three times taken, by the Russians. Would Parliament have 'sanctioned a war in order to restore it to

Turkey, that Russia might take it again? ' When the next misunderstanding arose P '' or to prevent the cession of Batoum harbour, which is barely capable of holding six ships? The Government'thought it inadvisable to begrudge these conquests of Russia,' especially after.obtaining the restoration of Bayazid' and district.' Bui it seemed at the same time necessary" to consider whether some effort was not possible to improve the general condition^ Asiatic Turkey and prevent perpetually recurring • wars almost .'terminating in shaking the authority of. the Porte and diminishing its means of profitably and advantageously governing the country. He pointed out that the other European Powers were naturally riot so interested as England in the affairs connected with our Oriental Empire; Therefore'a^ything to effectually. guard our interest-in, that quarter must be framed by ourselves, though the. object of the Anglo-Turkish Convention was certainly to place J^dglatid,r in a position which.might be connected with a force necessary;, when any great transactions were contemplated, even though«she . may not \feei> it necessary to have recourse to force. But the!object of the convention.was,not merely or chiefly military, but to prddu'ce peace and tranquility, so as to open up to the wealth and enterprise of Europe what, is fi really another continent, He' was' surprised to 1 sic' it reported, though he. had not heard.it from any authority, that the Government's course , t caused any suspicion or enmity.* He had :;!, particularly considered the susceptibilities of Erance,.to. whom England is bound by daily " increasing' "friendship; : kitf had ■ avoided Syria and Egypt, because 'of the sentimental traditionary interests of France.^ Biit we must remember that England held enormous and substantial interests in the East', and that if she did ' not interfere in vindication of those interests Asia Minor must become a victim to anarchy and ultimately,pass to Bussia, who would not be blameable in "profiting • by such a state of, affairs. , The, Government did not want to'enter into any unnecessary responsibility, and shrunk, from all responsibility of handing over to it» successors-a diminished Empire. Let .liussia keep what she has obtained. England now said, "Thus far and',no farther." Asia is large enough for" both Eussia and England. There,is H no ' reason for constant war or fears of War : between, them. .Lord .Beaconsfield'skid he could not at the present communicate -the details of the.'proposed re- < forms in Asia Minor, as he was acting; with. Turkey, which is an' independent Power and whose consent was required toall measures. The Government's opera- . tions were in the interest of peace and civilization. It did" not mainly rely oa fleets,and armies, however. gr,eat,., bufc'^ofn the consciousness of Eastern nations tfeat our Empire is one of liberty and justice) Earl Granville said he would have preferred that the danger arising from Turkish misgovernment had been provided against by European concert. He complained that the interests, ofthe Greeks had been disregarded. He did not tUink that Cyprus would add to. the.power..of defending the Suez canal. It would entail . cost and responsibilities not worth.

gaining. . ■ ; .. Lord Derby generally approved of w'Jbafc had been done. in Europe, but he questioned the value of Cyprus, and'de* cJared that lie quitted the Cabinet because he dissented from the decision' to seize a. naval station in the Eastern Mediterranean! consisting of Cyprus and a point' on the main land by a secret expedition fromi India, without the consent of the Sultan! . Lord Salisbury pointed out 'that Lord Derby had not given due weighs to the part which Austria.played in .'the.neir.arrangement.. If Turkey now, goes ib.piecea liussia would not, rule the Bosphoroua He denied Derby.'B statement in regard : to a secret expedition.,,: He said India would not have remained 'loyaL if! Russia bad been allowed'to rule on the Tiiii* »n4 Euphrates. . - ' *• . ""•*

trM^fl* cmphatica%. maintained the truth of his stateW*K» irclative to the proposed secret expfe&tibli, sajiui'he had) notes made at the'time. • - T L? r?-v Sf 1'" I*ll^1 *11^ said he believed tba i JLord Derby s memoff was bad.