The Express.
London, England, 1863-01-08 00:00:00

HIGH WArziAT LONDON_ BEIDGIL

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LONDON, THURSDAY, JANUARY &

Tas Q cxxx's Government has courageously com-
mitted itself to a wise and magnanimous policy to-
wards the people of the lonian Islands. The Me-
morandum which Mr. ELLIOT has delivered to the
Provisional Government of Greece announces that
upon certain conditions, which it depends on the
Greeks to satisfy, and which their Government has
professed ita desire to fulfil, the Quer.3l's Govern-
ment will announce to the Senate and Represen-
tatives of the lonian Islands her Macaw's wish
to see them united to the monarchy of Greece,
to form with them one united State. If
this wish shall also be expressed by the lonian
Legislature, her MAJIITY will then take steps for
obtaining the concurrence of the Powers who
signed the treaty under which our protectorate
has been exercised. The public mind has been
gradually prepared by events to anticipate this
measure as the necessary development of a liberal
Policy-
The resolution of the QUEIN'II Government is one
on which we can sincerely congratulate the country.
It is one the very announcement of which strengthen'
us both at home and abroad. It puts an end to an
unpleasant discordance between our principles and
practices, and restores unity and consistency to our
policy. It withdraws us from a position which we
have long felt was false and untenable, and
enables us to assert our political convictions with-
out embarrassment and without liability to retort.
It is the recognition by one of the first Powers of
the world of ends and means of government
which we all believe to be necessary to the peaos
and happiness of Europe. Our voluntary offer to
place the future lot of the lonians in their own
hands is such a homage to popular principles as no
monarchy has ever made before. The only kind
of influence we care to exercise in Europe, the in-
fluence of opinion and sentiment, will be, and
already is, immensely increased by this act. Ounivals
are astonished at it, and say that if it is not one of
pure generosity, it is at least a transcendent
political manoeuvre. Most Englishmen will
judge of it leas enthusiastically, and be satisfied
with it because it is dictated by wise and right
policy.

The time has not yet come for formally con-
sulting the lonian Legislature on the union of
their State with Greece, a measure which they
have so often and so recently declared to be essen-
tial to their welfare ; at present, therefore, comma-
nications have only been made with Greece. But
it is well understood on all sides that the wishes
of the lonians are the moving canoe in this
matter. The union, if it takes place, will be a
practiosl application of the principles we are in the
habit of affirming when we discuss the French
occupation of Rome or the presence of the Austrians
in Venetia. And we shall have satisfaction in
remembering that we have not adopted this course
under the pressure of some external necessity, or
hastily taken up a maxim or idea for temporary or
political convenience, but have done a just and
honourable act from conviction and choice. The
British Government, in taking this magnanimous
course, has done more to strengthen itself in
Europe than if it had annexed unwilling or indif-
ferent provinces of five times the extent of the
lonian Islands. And we doubt whether any
Ministry that could be formed, other than that
which is now in office, would have devised or could
carry out the proposed arrangement.
Something has been said about an objection
which Austria is expected to make against the
addition which the union of the lonian Islands will
bring to the strength of the kingdom of Greece.
But we confidently expect that as the examination
of the cane proceeds these objections will vanish.
The arrangement which is now proposed is in con-
formity with the tendencies of the two populations
most concerned in its realization, and especially
satisfies a legitimate want of the Greek State. It
is, therefore, one which tends to ensure tranquillity.
Austrian statesmen must desire this result, which
by contenting an important population will re-
move one more point d'appui of revolutionary en-
terprise, too near the frontiers of the empire to be
regarded with indifference at Vienna. The Austrian
Monarchy, notwithstanding its recent trials, is too
great to stoop to the policy of seeking its safety
and convenience in the weakness of its neighbours.
We all hope that its Government has entered on
a course of liberal policy at home, with the sincere
determination of persevering in that course. Let
it do so, and carry its reforms into every depart-
ment of administration, and the consequent deve-
lopment of its material and moral resources will
raise it to a position high above the apprehensions
which are just now attributed to it.

The Morning A &Miser eve :—" We learn that
the Rev. Dr. Campbell, the weß•kaoaro author sad
jouroalid, hes catatoutetel protaidlase against the Solar.
day Revias for alibeL The eau% 'Campbell v. Spettie-
woode,' le lea down for the mittbapi of ski prim is Mazy
TIM ia Loodoa.•

Axisica Asa TEI LANCAOMILI thgram—The
following letter has been addressed to Mr. Frank Crowley,
In reply to one menet* that the duties on bread-
stuffs sent from America es donations to the distressed in
the manufacturing districts should be remitted :—"Treasary,
6th January, 1893.—My dear Mr. Croesley,—An authority
will go to the conamienociers of eastome before
sight empowering the collector of customs at Liver-
pool to remit dotty on all breadstuff" sent from America
as doestioes for the relief of distress in the cotton manu-
facturing districts, with the condition that We bills of
lading shall be presented by the relief committee now sit-
ting he Liverpool to reoeive those donation; with a certifi-
cate that the provisions have been admitted free of port
dam, &c., sad are toed fide intended for the relief of the
distress—Wises use, lily clear Mr. Crossley, very truly
yours, (Planed) Clio. A. HAMMON. Bearetary. —F. ()minim '
Zs+. ILP."