The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-07-26 00:00:00

!IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

In the HOUSE OF LORDS, July 21, Lord Selborne called
attention to the question of slavery in Cuba. He held that
on the part of Spain there had been a continuous breach of
her treaty engagements with this country in respect of the
abolition of slavery in Cuba; and while making all allow-
ance for the difficulties which Spain had undergone, he urged
that her Majesty's Government ought to urge upon the
Spanish Government its obligation to carry out those engage-
ments. In conclusion, the noble and learned lord moved
for the correspondence on the subject between the two
Governments.
Lord Salisbury assured the House that Her Majesty's
Government did not yield to his noble and learned friend in
the desire for the abolition of slavery in Cuba' but the only
action which Her Majesty's Government could take with re-
spect to the Government of Spain was one of moral force,
and as national assemblies, and especially the Spanish
Chamber, were very sensitive of any foreign interference
with their domestic affairs, pressure such as his noble and
learned friend suggested might have the effect of retarding
the object in view.
Lord Granville pointed out that the Opposition in the
Spanish Chamber was at present urging on the Spanish Go-
vernment the abolition of slavery in Cuba, and said that,
therefore, there could not be that danger of giving offence
Which the Foreign Secretary seemed to apprehend.
Lord Beaeonsfield observed that though the Spanish Oppo-
sition was itself urging the abolition of slavery it might not
like to echo or support the demand of a foreign Government
for that measure.
The motion for the papers was then agreed to.
Lord Cranbrook in moving the second reading of the
Army Bill, hoped it would be passed unamended, so as to
enable it to become law by Friday next.
The Duke of Cambridge, speaking iwith reference to the
question of corporal punishment, remarked that much as he
and other military officers would like to get rid of it, he felt
convinced that without that punishment it would be impos-
sible to maintain the discipline of the Army in the field. It
was said that corporal punishment was degrading. Why, all
punishments were in the same sense degrading; but, as a
fact, it was not the punishment but the offence which was
degrading. He sincerely hoped that the punishment
of flogging would never have to be resorted to, or that its
Infliction might be very rare; but he felt bound to express
his opinion that its existence was necessary as a deterrent,
and he thought Parliament would be wanting in courage if
Instead of prescribing the description of corporal punish-
ment to be inflicted it left that to the discretion of com-
manding officers. The previsions relating to enlistment he
regarded as a great improvement.
After some remarks from Lord Longford and Lord Truro,
Earl Granville regretted, on account of the military autho-
rities, that there had not been more time to discuss the Bill,
and announced that as to the flogging question as raised by
the Marquis of Hartington, he should reserve to himself
freedom of action in assenting to the second reading of the
Bill.
The Bill was read a second time, and a number of Bills
having been advanced a stage, their Lordshipradjourned at
twenty minutes past seven o'clock.
In the HOUSE OP Coxamis, Mr. Hanbury give notice that
he will move as an amendment to Sir C. Mike's motion on
the Treaty of Berlin, "That this House desireseto express its
gratification that the main provisions of the Treaty of
.Berlin have been successfully carried into effect, and ap-
proves the steps taken by the Government to secure the
accomplishment of those portions of the Treaty still in course
of execution."
Mr. Shaw gave notice that on the second reading of the
Irish University Bill he will move that no measure of Uni-
versity Education can be considered satisfactory to the
people of Ireland which does not provide increased facilities
for collegiate education as well as for the obtainment of
University degrees.
Mr. Cowen gave notice that he will ask whether the atten-
tion of the Government has been directed to the wholesale
deportation of Russian political criminals to Siberia, and
whether they do not think that the remonstrances made in
the case of Naples, Poland, and Bulgaria form a precedent
for remonstrating against these acts of cruelty.
In answer to Sir G. Campbell, who asked for some infor-
mation as to the manner in which the current expenses of
the Zulu War are provided, the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer explained that the Treasury Chest, out of which the
money for the Army and Navy Services is advanced, has
a standing credit of a million, partly raised by remittances
of specie, and partly by bills drawn at long dates by
the Treasury Chest Officer in the Colony, and that these
advances are repaid from the Totes agreed to in the Army
and Navy Estimates. Since April 1 £260,000 has been sent
out to South Africa in specie and £BBO,OOO has been drawn
for in bills on this country and cashed in the colony.
In answer to Mr. James, the Chancellor of the Exchequer
stated that it was not intended to proceed with the Charity
Expenses Bill this year, but it would be reintroduced early
next Session; and in answer to Mr. J. Barclay, Mr. Cross
said that the proposal to create an Under-Secretary of State
for Scotland had not been definitely abandoned, although
there were difficulties in the way which had not yet been sur-
mounted.
The House then went into Committee of Supply, and the
rest of the night was devoted to the Irish Civil Service Esti-
mates, most of the time being occupied by conversations on
the Police Vote, on the sub-heads of which several divisions
were taken. Successive motions were made to reduce the
amount of the vote, but in every case the proposal was de-
feated by majorities ranging from four to one up to seven
and eight to one, and the discussion was continued up to a
late hoer.

In the HOUSE OP LORDS, July 22, the Army Discipline and
Regulation (Commencement) Bill was brought up from the
Commons and read a first time.

The Army Discipline and Regulation Bill and the Public
Loans Remission Bill were read a third time.
Lord Templetown moved a resolution stating that in view
of the "enormous increase" of street accidents in the
metropolis, it was advisable that the Home Secretary should
be instructed to call on the various metropolitan Vestries to
Increase the number of central "refuges."
Lord Beauchamp and Lord Aberdare quoted statistics to
show that the number of those accidents had decreased
rather than Increased, regard being had to the great increase
of the population.

In reply to Lord Truro, Lord Bury stated that he had
reason to believe that the Colonel Harrison who eat on the
Court-martial to inquire into the circumstances attendivg
the death of the Prince Imperial was not the Assistant or
Deputy-Assistant Quartermaster-General of that name.
Having disposed of the other business on the paper, their
lordships adjourned at twenty minutes past six.
In the HUM OP COMMONS, in reply to Captain Home, Mr.
Cross said he was in consultation with the Treasury on the
subject of a commission to inquire into the disease among
salmon in certain Scotch and English rivers, but he could
not give a final answer at present. No real inquiry could be
instituted until the spring.
In reply to Mr. Whitwell, who asked whether the Govern-
ment had authorised the departure of troops for an attack on
Secoeoeui,
Sir M. Hicks-Beach said : I have not authorised such an
expedition. In witting to Sir B. Frere on the 10th of April.
I expressed the hope that the troubles then existing or anti-
eiPated by him in various parts of South Africa, including
Seeocoeni's country, might disappear, either independently
or in consequence of that complete settlement of the Zulu
difficulty which I trusted to see speedily effected ; and I
requested him carefully to bear in mind that any wider or
larger action of the kind apparently suggested by him,
beyond that whish might be necessary for the termi-
nation of the Zulu question, should be submitted to
Her Majesty's Government for their consideration and
approval before any steps were taken to carry it into effect.
I believe that Lord Chelmsford declined to comply with the
request that troops should be sent to the Transvaal for an
attack on Secocoeni ; but I subsequently called Sir Garnet
Wolseley's attention to the views on this subject which I had
expressed in my despatch on April 10; and the hon. member
may perhaps have noticed, in the telegram from Sir G. Wol-
seley which I read on Friday, that he states that there was
no news of importance from the Transvaal, that he had or-
dered Colonel Lanyon to undertake no offensive operations,
to testrict his operations to protection of life and property,
and to curtail expenses in every possible way. (Hear,
hear.)

la answer to Mr. Whitwell, the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer said : Some papers are being prepared and will be
laid on the table very shortly with regard to communica-
tions between the Home Government and the Government of
the Cape as to financial questions between them.

The Army Discipline and Regulation (Commencement)
Bill was passed through Committee and read a third time.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer moved the second read-
ing of the Banking and Joint-Stock Companies Bill, which
has been considerably altered since it was introduced—
Mainly in this respect, that its operation is limited to
Zakleed.
Tne Scotch members especially objected to the exclusion
of their country from the advantages of the principle of re-
Served liability.

14. Iv. Holms was addressing the House at a quarter be-
fore seven when the debate had to be adjourned.

At the Evening Sitting, Sir C. One called attention to the
non-execution by Turkey of the arrangements of the Treaty
Of Berlin relating to reforms in Turkey and the rectification
of the Greek frontier, and moved an address to the Crown
Preying her Majesty to use her influence to procure the
execution of these articles, and to undertake mediation in
order to obtain for Greece the frontier agreed on by the Powers
at Berlin. With regard to the Turkish reforms, he showed
from the papers that no steps whatever had been taken to
carrY them out, that the misgovernment both of the Euro-
Dean and Asiatic provinces was worse than at any previous
Period, and that the British Government had done nothing
to fulfil the peculiar responsibility which lay upon it. With
,regard to Greece, he referred to numerous passages in the
•ulue-book just published to illustrate the obstinacy with
Which the Porte had refused to carry out the Berlin arrange-
!aents, and maintained that it was mainly the fault of the
fukewarmness of the British Government that the united
Pressure of the European Governments had not been brought
tO bear upon the Porte. On the same authority, too, he
Showed that there was no foundation for the assertion that
thS nationality of Epirus was Albanian.
Mr. Shaw Lefevre seconded the motion.

Mr. Banbury moved, as an amendment, a resolution ex-
pressing gratification that the main portions of the treaty
been carried out, and satisfaction with the steps
1-4aen by the Government to procure the execution of the
remainder. He agreed that it would be suicidal for Trakey not
tO Profit by her new lease of life by carrying out the treaty,
bat he maintained that the despatches showed the Govern-
rtient to have done all they could by advice, remonstrance,
and rebuke—by everything short of coercion—to induce the
torte to set its house in order. Inasmuch as the Bulgarian
ortresses had not been demolished, nor the Adahomedan in-
habitants restored to East Roumelia, nor the grievances of
the Jews in Servia and Roumania redressed, it was
hardly fair play for Sir C. Mike to attack Turkey
alone for not carrying out the treaty. But he showed
that many improvements had already been effecte
by the Porte in the administration, which he re-
Counted; and, with regard to Greece, be insisted that
the line laid down at Berlin was extremely vague, and
Janina was not included in it. England had been the real
friend of Greece at the Congress, and if the frontier now
claimed were granted to her it would not content her, nor
would it form a natural frontier between the two countries.
The motion was premature and one-sided, and 1; was unfair
tu expect Turkey to have done more in one short year, not
entirely of Peace.
_Sir /I D. Wolff, in seconding the amendment, related the
'ffititt features of the history of his mission, and vindicated its
M. rettilts.
Gladstone was of opinion that the motion dld not imply
"allure on the Government, but referred solely to the future
tOd urged the Government to insist on those arrangements
e.h3FC carried out which would be for the benefit of the people
?;- Turkey. With regard to the frontier line drawn at
!I,llho, no doubt it was vague, but those who drew it were
4:17."6 Capable of interpreting it, and the motion called on the
_ °vertu:tient to raise its voice in favour of those arrange-
which were for the interests both of Turkey and
clreuae"'
, Whatever individual opinions might be, the con-
of the European Powers must be respected, and it
c,"4 be true mercy to Turkey to insist that she should
1.--71 out the will of Europe, to endeavour to create a friendly
tirß betvieen Greece and Turkey, and be hoped, therefore,
st the Government would not object to have its hands
rengthened by the passing of this resolution.
Mr- Bourke assured the House that the Uovernment had
r.me their best to urge reforms on the Porte, and insisted
..I.tt it was not fair to throw upon them the responsibility
ge jell Only attached to Turkey. Much more might have
an done by the Turkish Government than they bad done.
and the motion of Mr. Monk, the debate was adjourned,
the other orders being disposed of, the House adjourned
" "all-Past two o'clock.

SHORT AND SWEET —When once a young lady and
gentle naan in America make up their minds to be
married, and proceed to set about it, the mere ceremony
does not take long when a civil contract only is re-
quired. A very few questions from the Justice, and
the utterances of some scant sentences, complete th.e
is 9Peration ; but for brevity, neatness, and dispatch, it
probable that the formula used by an Indiana ma-
gutrate is unsurpassed. When the blushing bride 13
presented to him by the debated bridegroom, the
Justice glances from one to the htli'ef;,land then speaks:
Have 'er ?" "Yes." "Have 'im? " Yes."
111,1-tied ; 5 dollars." That is all :the thing is done,
laid if matrimony is rife in Indiana the Justice ought
to mAke a good thing of it.—Sparting and Dramatic
Arno.