The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-11-16 00:00:00

LORD BEACONSFIELD ON THE
BERLIN TREATY.

In London, on Saturday, in the customary State,
the new Lord Mayor went in procession from Guild-
hall to Westminster, where the chief magistrate was
presented by the Recorder to the barons of the Ex-
chequer, The Lord Chief Baron, in conveying his
congratulations, expressed his indignation upon read.
in the report of the Rhodope Commission, and re-
getted that he had not the power to call upon other
European nations "at once to hasten to the rescue of
the agonised victims of Russian barbarity, and to con-
duct them to their own homes."

Eight members of the Cabinet were present at the Lord
Mayor's banquet at the Guildhall in the evening. Lord
Bury and Admiral Saumarez responded for the Army
and Navy. The Marquis of Salisbury proposed the health of
the late Lord Mayor; the Duke of Northumberland responded
for the House of Lords and the Chancellor of the Eschequer
for the Commons; and the health of the Lady Mayoress was
proposed by Viscount Cranbrook. Count Beust responded
for the toast of the Foreign Ministers, and said it was par-
ticularly gratirying to him to be allowed to respond to that
toast that evening, as it was the last time he would,have the
* privilege of attending the time-honoured banquet and the
last public opportunity he would have of bidding a farewell
to "dear Old England."
Lord Beaconsfield, in responding to the toast of her
Majesty's Ministers, dwelt exclusively on foreign
affairs. He said :
My Lord Mayor, a year ago, when I had the honour of
addressing your predecessor in this hall upon a similar occa-
sion to the present, a terrible war was raging in the East of
Europe, the termination of which was not visible, and a
general fear prevailed that the whole world might be
drawn into its vortex. I ventured then to take not so
gloomy a view as was then prevalent; and I expressed a
hope that before we met again there would be a Congress ,
of the Greet Powers of Europe, that peace would be
obtained, and a settlement made of the questions in
controversy which would be a satisfactory and enduring
one. Rumours, however, are now rife, my Lord Mayor,
that the settlement which was made at Berlin has
failed la effecting the end which, not merely for
the interests of this country, but of humanity, we
counted upon. We are told that it has already
broken down, and that the position of affairs is unsatis-
factory, and even perilous. I therefore think, my Lord
Mayor, that on this occasion it will be advantageous that I
should state the views of her Majesty's Government on the
present situation of the country with regard to its external
relations. (Cheers.) And, first, let me refer to a matter of
immediate interest to which you, my Lord Mayor, have
already adverted. One would suppose, from all we hear, that
our Indian Empire is on the eve of being invaded, and that
we were about to enter into a struggle with some powerful
and unknown foe. Your lordship is well aware of the pre-
sent state of affairs on the North-Western frontier of India.
In the first place, my Lord Mayor, her Majesty's Go-
vernment are by no means apprehensive of any inva-
sion of our empire by our North-Western frontier. The
base of operations of any possible foe is so remote, the
communications are so difficult, the aspect of the country
Ii so forbidding, that we do not believe under these circum-
Pances any invasion of our North-Western frontier is practic-
able. But our North-Western frontier is a hap-hazard and
not a scientific frontier. It is in the power of any foe so to
embarrass and disturb our dominion, that we should be
obliged to maintain the presence of a great military force
in that quarter, entailing on the country a proportionate
expenditure. These are unquestionably great evils, and
former Viceroys have had their attention called with anxiety
to the state of our frontier. (Hear, hear.) Recently, how-
ever, some peculiar circumstances have occurred in that part
of the world which have convinced Her Majesty's Govern-
ment that the time has arrived when we must terminate
all this inconvenience and prevent all this possible injury.
With this view we have made arrangements by which,
when completed, in all probability at no distant
day, all anxiety respecting the North-Western frontier
of India will be removed. (Cheers.) We shall live,
I hope, on good terms with our immediate neighbours
and not on bad terms perhaps with some neighbours that
are more remote. (Cheers.) I do not wish, my Lord Mayor,
In making these remarks that you should understand that
Her Majesty's G3vernment are of opinion that an invasion of
India is impossible or impracticable. On the contrary, if
Asia Minor and the valley of the Euphrates were in the
possession of a very weak or very powerful State, it would
be by no means impossible for an adequate army to march
through the passes of Asia Minor and through Persia and
absolutely menace the dominions of the Queen; but Her
Majesty's Government have contemplated such a result, and
we have provided means to prevent its occurrence by our
Convention with Turkey and our occupation of the
isle of Cyprus. (Cheers.) By that Convention we have
secured that those regions should remain in the
possession of our ally, supported by subjects growing in popu-
lation and in material wealth, who will thus add greatly to the
strength and authority of the Sultan. (Cheers.) In order
to enoourage, strengthen, and aid the Sultan we have felt
that it was not wise that he should look forward only to
an ambiguous or a distant assistance, but that we should
occupy, with his entire concurrence, a place of arms where
he would feel that if any danger prevented him from carrying
into effect those changes for the regeneration of his country
which he has agreed, and willingly agreed, to make, he could
look with confidence for the assistance of an ally elose and
contiguous to his own frontier. As I am touching on this
subject, perhaps it would not be uninteresting to the citizens
of London to learn that Cyprus will be no burden to this
country—(cheers)—and that even this year, when the
methods of administration of England have necessarily
only partially been applied, it will furnish not merely
the sum annually accrued to the Sultan, but the
whole expenditure of its civil government. (Cheers.)
There is no doubt, my lord, that the administration of
Cyprus by England will exercise the most beneficial and
moral influence upon the contiguous dominions of the
Sultan. But this was a secondary consideration in inducing
tts to take the step which we have done. It was as a strong
place of arms, for which it is admirably calcalated by its
geographical position and the variety of its resources, that
we fixed upon Cyprus, after having examined all the other
islands in the east of the Mediterranean. Dly lord, I have
shown you that if the policy of her Majesty's Ministers is
carried into effect; if that rectification of our North-Western
frontier is consundinated ; and it Asia Minor remains—as,
in my opinion, it will remain—in the possession of our ally,
and Jilt becomes a country which, from the steps we are now
tang, will I hope every year increase in prosperity and
power, the English people may dismiss from their minds all
anxiety as to the external enemies of their Indian Empire.
(Cheers.) But, my Lord Mayor, the Eastern Question, which
Is in everybody's mouth, has a double aspect. It is not
merely the safety of our Indian Empire which we should
consider—not that this is a selfish consideration, because the
world is equally with England interested in the prosperity
and good government of India: but there is another aspect
of the Eastern Question, and that involves the independence
of Europe, and especially of the Mediterranean Powers.
(Cheers) I will say of all Powers, because the policy which
we would pursue would prevent the fatal supremacy of any
individual State. (Cheers) How that great end was to be
secured, so far as the opinion of England was concerned, was
by establishing:the Sultan as a truly independent Prince.
Whenwe repaired to the Congress of Berlin that object was
equally,professed by all the future signatory Powers of that
Treaty. It has been said that the Sultan, by the regulations of
the Treaty of Berlin, has been deprived of provinces and many
millions of subjects. Now, the policy that was pursued at
the Congress of Berlin was this. It was to extricate the
Sultan from those ruinous relations with pseudo-feudatories
or small tribes differing in race and religion, but who were
the constant and ready instruments of hostile external in-
fluences against the Porte, and who carried on affairs in such
manner that really the greater part of the European terri-
tories of the Sultan was the scene of chronic conspiracy,
varied only by occasional insurrection—it was to extricate
the Batten from this source of constant exhaustion that the
provisions were agreed to at the Congress of Berlin whichnow
regulatethe position of the Sultan in Europe. Following this
polity, the Congress of Berlin secured for the Sultan ao im-
pregnable capital, the custody, guardianship, and possession of
the Straits, rich provincesiu European Turkey, the most valu-
able harbour in the Black Sea, and generally speaking an in-
telligible frontier. A Prince so circumstanced, if at the same
time he could rest upon the basis of twenty millions of Asian
subjects, constantly improving by their administration in
their wealth, in their resources and power—a Prince so cir-
cumstanced would have no inconsiderable influence and
could exercise that influence in the maintenance of the
political balance. (Cheers.) I know, my Lord Mayor, it is
said that these views, however plausible, have not been
carried into effect, and that the Treaty of Berlin already
has proved to be inadequate to carry the results which it
aimed at into operation My Lord Mayor, it the grave
matters which were settled at Berlin could have been
settled in twenty-four hours a Congress was unnecessary.
They might have been settled by post or by the Queen's
messengers. Whenever a treaty has emanated from a
great Congress it has always provided that a certain
time should be allowed to carry the regulations into
effect. The Treaty of Berlin is not different from other
treaties in this respect. A certain period is provided for
and prescribed during which interval the agreements and
regulations of the treaty were to be carried into execution.
Of that period not half—not much more than one-
third—has already elapsed. Has nothing been done during
that time under the Treaty of Berlin? Under the provi-
sions of the Treaty of Berlin, Russia has retired from Con-
stantinople, which was within he, grasp. (Cheers.) Under
the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin, Russia has retired
from the Straits of Gallipoli, second only in importance to
Constantinople, and by some deemed equivalent to it. Under
Vie provisions of the Treaty of Berlin, Russia has restored
to the Porte the city of Erzeroum, which soon will, in all
probability, be the scene of the strongest fortifications in
Minor. Under the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin,
the Sultan has surrendered his fortresses on the Danube.
Under the provisions of the Treaty of Berlin, the Bay of
Batoum, which it was said could never be obtained except
by a sanguinary civil war, has been given up without
shedding a single drop of blood. (Cheers.) Under the pro-
visions of the Treaty of Berlin, at this moment there are
committees and coramissions, formed of the most able sub-
jects of the different States of Europe, arranging the
lines of demarcation for the different States and provinces
created by the Treaty of Berlin. Why, these are the most
considerable points of the treaty. (Cheers. Little more
than three months have elapsed—hardly a third, or not much
more than one-third, of the time provided by the treaty has
elapsed—yet these great results have been obtained (cheers);
and why are we to believe that all the others—not so im-
portant, generally speaking—which remain unconcluded will
not be consummated in the time provided for by the treaty?
(Cheers.) This I can say for Her Majesty,s Government, that
we have never received any intimation whatever from any of
the signatories of that treaty that it is their desire or their
Intention to evade the complete fulfilment of its conditions.
Cheers.) Unquestionably, in settling the affairs of Europe
at Berlin, the claims of one of the belligerents who, at
Immense sacrifices of men and treasure, had conducted
the war to a triumphant end were considered, and it was
necessary that those claims should be recognized and con-
sidered: In the first place, If the Powers were not pre-
paredtorecagnize and consider tufts) clainis,the Congress could
never have been held, the war might have gone on, and pro-
bably a general war would have resulted ; but, subject to these
considerations, which were the necessary consequence of
having conducted a successful war as Russia had done, the
principal object of the Congress at Berlin was to establish the
Sultan as a truly independent Prince, with an adequate terri-
tory, both in Europe and in Asia, to allow him to become a
member who would contribute to the maintenance of the •
political equilibrium. That was the policy acknowledged.
and that was the policy which I believe will be pursued.
(Cheera) I must, therefore, disclaim, and repudiate those
notions, which I am greatly surprised have been circulated,
that the signatories or any signatory of the treaty con-
templates the possibility of evading or avoiding his engage-
ments. (Cheers.) They say, my lord, that in politics you ought
to contemplate the impossible. I think it at this moment
quite impossible that any e f the signatories of the
Treaty of Berlin would attempt in aby way to with-
draw front their engagements; but this I can say, on
the part of Her Majesty's Government, that they will not
be the signatory to retire. (Loud cheers.) I can say this
on the part of Her Majesty's Government, that it is their
policy and their determination that tine Treaty of Berlin
shall be carried out in spirit and to the letter (renewed
cheers); and believing that the settlement of Berlin
expressed in the treaty is one that will advance the
progress and civilization of the world, and that it in-
cludes provisions admirably Adapted to secure peace,
And the maintenance of peace, Her Majesty's Govern-
ment would, if necessary, appeal with confidence to the
people of this country to support them in maintaining to
the letter and the complete spirit of the Treaty of Berlin with
all their energy and all their resources. Loud cheers)
But, my Lord Mayor, I will not believe that we can under
any circumstances be driven to a course which otherwise
we shall be . determined to pursue, because I will give
credit to the signatories of the treaty for an honourable
fulfilment of their engagements. I admit that there are
parsgrliphs in newspapers of a different Import, I admit
that there is gossip, which may not even be authentic, re-
ported by the ',Patterns of different States, who may have
expreseed a different opinion. But the government of the
world is carried on by Sovereigns and statesment and not
by inenymons • paragraph writers (cheers), or by the
harebrained chatter of irresponsible frivolity (cheers) ;
and therefore, my, lord, I look with confidence to
the Treaty of Berlin being carried out completely
within- the period provided for the completion of
its arrangements-; and I believe that by carrying that
treaty Into Affect we shall secure and maintain an enduring
peace In Europe. (Cheers.) My Lord Mayor, I have
observed that the mcnitkof October I often-rife with WO
secrets of State. (Atuegli.) In the month of November'
they are not so nu °irons. I ascribe that result to the
beneficial influenee, in some respects, of Lord Mayor's day.
(A laugh.) On Lord Mayor's Day there is a chance of
bearing the voice of woe and With -a laugh and cheers;)

but when Parliament meets it Is astonishing how the flock of
all these political wild fowl fly from the country and seek a
more coagenial clime of intrigue and imposture. (A laugh,)
Well, my Lord Mayor, I have spoken of the situation of
affairs without reserve. (Cheers') I have thought it not
Inexpedient on the part of the Government to ,tell you
exactly what our views of the situation are. (Cheers.) That
the state of affairs at preserit is serious no one can doubt,
because they must ever be serious when a great settle-
ment is taking place and is not yet accomplished; but I
deny that they are affairs of danger. I know there are
sonic who think that the power of England is en the
wane. We have been Leformed lately that oura will
be the lot of Genoa, and Venice, and Holland. But,
my Lord Mayor, there is a great difference between the
condition of England and those pictiaesque and interesting
communities. (Cheers and a laugh) We have during
ages of prosperity created a nation of thirty-four milieus—
a nation who are enjoying, and have long enjoyed, the
two greatest ble,sings of civil life—justice and libcrty.
(Cheers.) My Lord Mayor, a nation of that character is
more calculated to create empires than to give them up,
and I feel confident it England is true to herself; if the
English people prove themselves worthy of their ancestors;
if they possess still the courage and the determination of
their forefathers, their honour will never be tarnished
and their power will never diminish. (Loud cheers.) The
fate of England is in the hands of England; and you
must place no credit on these rumours which would in-
duce you to believe that you have neither the power nor the
principle to assert that policy which you believe is a policy
of justice and truth. (Cheers.) My Lord Mayor, you will
permit me, I hope—following these observations, which
have been somewhat too long for the occasion—(eries of
"No, no ")—to propose the health of my host, and I trust
that when we meet again—(sheers)—I or someone more
worthy—(cries of "No, no ")—may have the opportunity of
congratulating you upon the position which England valued,
and, valuing, determined to maintain. (Loud cheers.)

. .
_.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in responding for the
House of Commons, admitted that the finances of the
country were not in so prosperous a condition as they were
a few years age, but he did not despair even yet of some
improvement taking place. The right hon. baronet said:
There is an extraordinary idea prevalent in certain quarters
that the minority of the House of Commons are really the
majority, and we are distracted by a most alarming array of
"electoral facts," which make us feel extremely uncomfort-
able. Occasionally we are reminded of a poet who lived 100
years ago, in which he describes a great orator of that day as
one who