The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1859-04-26 00:00:00

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-MONDAY.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEOCER, having brought
up certain papers, and moved that they be laid upon
the table, proceeded, in a subdued tone, to lay before
the House the state of the negociatiuns respecting the
affairs of Italy. The statement was similar to that
made in the House of Lords by lord Malmesbury. Her
Majesty's Govennuent sere prepared to put the most
generous interpretation upon her conduct, and to COll.
alder the proposal of Sardinia to be present at the Con-
gress most favourably, lint she was not one of the
great Powers, MA, if Sardinia was present, other Italian
States would have a title to appear, and precedents
inight be pleaded for their admission. We were,
therefore, in this conslition—France and Austria
had accepted the principle of disarmament ; Sar-
dinia had not agreed, on account of her excluaion
from the tongrem ; but lie should hope that this diffi-
culty 'night 111: got over, and lie had the satisfaction of
stating that the Maniuia M. D'Aseglio had arrived in
th's country on a special miaow', and he expected the
best results from the agency of a man of his temperate
character and enlightened mind. Under these circum-
stances, he did not believe that there was a Power in
Europe that would wantonly provoke a war and there
was a st-ong poser in public opinion. An Italian war
would probably be a European war, and if the war
should spread beyond Italy England might be interested
not only in the cause of cis ilization, but on Imperial
eo.isiuleratiui,is of the most urgent character. He trusted,
however, that with firuinem and conciliation the peace
of the world might be preserved.
Lord PALUERKTON said lie believed Her Majesty's
Hoven 11111111 l had acted from a sense of duty in engaging
in these informal negotiation', though lie thought that,
load they been of a more formal character, they might
have had a noire successful hem% It was natural that
Austria should have wished that the negotiations at the
Congress should have been preceded or accompanied by
is general disarmament ; but it was an unreasonable con-
dition that Sardinia alone should disarm', and he thought
Her Majesty's Government were right in objecting to it.
He was glad to hear that France and Austria had
agreed to the principle of a general disarmament ; but
it appeared to I hat the going into a long discussion
, as to this point, instead of discussing in Congrem the
real questions at issue, would be a waste of time. Why
1111 l 1.1 not the Congress weet at once and settle the
material points in dispute, instead of discussing the
' vague question of a general disarmament? The Con-
gre,ol might meet at once and discuas and settle the real
queations upon which the peace of Europe depended.
Let France and Austria withdraw their troops from
Central Italy, and pledge themselves that under no cit.
cumstances, at any future time, should they return ; the
Congress then might, if it pleased, go into the queation
I of the amelioration of Italy in general. The present
ditTerenee arose from the indisposition of Sardiiiia to
disarm unless admitted to the Congress. As the force
of Sardinia was so much less than that of Austria. the
latter need not be alarmed, and England and France
might set her at ease in this respect. He treated that
no Hovernment would be so blind to its duties, to itself,
to its subjects, to Europe, said to mankind as to enter
into a Mar without necessity, which would be not merely
a fault, but a crime. . .

Mr. T. Di; seining said the state of Italy was a dbp
grace to civilized Europe, and he wanted to know what
Imp., there was for Italy ill these negotiations. He in-
sisteil that Sardinia ought to be represented at the
Congress. Italy must be rid of Austria before the
ram and happiness of her people could be secured.
Mr. (ILAIMTUNIC expressed hisregret at the remarks of
Mr. Duncombe, which, in his opinion. tended to widen
inconveniently the field of discussion. Until he was
aware that the policy of Her Majesty's Government had
taken • wrong turn he should be doing an injury by
adopting a tone of accusation. There were, however,
two observations which fell from the Chancellor of the
Exchequer upon which lie was unwilling to put the con.
struction they would bear. He bait said that the con.
duct of Austria throughout these complications had been
marked by a spirit of dignified conciliation and that that
of Sardinia had been j erplexing and ambiguous. He
questioned the justice of both these observations. He did
not think that the refusal of Sardinia to disarm justified
this accusatory expression.
After a few words froin Mr. Cox INGEISV,
LordJ. Iles:kw. said but for a remark of Mr. Duncombe
he should not have taken part in this discussion, be.
first, he concurred in all that had faller. from Lord
Palmerston, and, secondly, lie felt deeply the responsibi-
lity attaching to everything which was said in that
House, and feared lie might drop • word that might um-
pair the prospects of peace. He thought it would be
conducive to the interests of peace to admit Sardiuia to
the Congress. .18 to the real points in dispute, the
House had no certain knowledge of the demands of the
different Powers and what were the real causes of the
disagreement.
The discussion wa continued by Mr. Mit.xgs, General
Tll,,Mrs,,N, Sir. B. Sir lI.VERNEY, and Sir H.
Wit.i.oruiiiiv, and the papers were ordered to be laid
m the table.
The seven 11:114 brought in by the Armusxv•Gxxr.-
• it ii. to Rineliel the statute law, and which stood for
second reading. were withdrawn.
sir G. I.r wis was moving • resolution relative to the
of despatches to India through the Secret
Department when the House was counted out, at a
quarter past 7 o'clock.

TUESDAY.

In reply to Mr. T. DUNI:OII6K,

The 111 A NcEtim it of the I.:x(1'1%11'1M said Her Majesty
would be advised to dissolve Parliament on Saturday
morning. so that the writs for a new Parliament might
issue in the evening of that day.
The House having been summoned to the House of
Peers, Parliament was then and there prorogued by
Commission.