The Sun.
London, England, 1855-06-27 00:00:00

armed inactivity had had the effect of preserving tran-
quillity in all those countries, and also of checking the
ambition of Prussia. (Hear.) By the treaty of the 14th
of June, concluded with Turkey, and the movement of
her army into the principalities, Austria bad practically
effected the evacuation of those principalities. All this
had Austria done by arming herself and placing a large
military force in a position threatening to Russia. But
she offered more. She offered before our expedition went
to the Crimea to communicate with the allies, with a
view to further military operations, and in consequence
of our determination to act on our own opinions in send-
ing au expedition to the Crimea, she told us she could
meet Russia alone, and that circumstances rendered it
necessary for her to adopt a different course of action.
At a subsequent period, when it was of great importance
that Austria should act with us, we had, looking to no-
thing but the success of the operations in the Crimea,
withdrawn from her immediate vicinity 50,000 good
Turkish troops, thus depriving her of the only assist-
ance on which she could have relied in the event of mi-
litary operations against her on the part of Russia. It
was evident that the ill-fated expedition to the Crimea
had perilled Austria, and reduced her to a position of
difficulty, which prevented her from adopting a course
which was most essential to her honour and dignity, and
even her existence. Before the expedition had sailed to
the Crimea he had cautioned the Government on the
consequences of its being carried out, and the effect it
would have on the policy of Austria, but they adhered to
their own plans, and deprived themselves of the co-ope-
ration which they would otherwise have had. It was of
the greatest importance that Austria should have held
that position which she had done. It was that security
which had been given to all the states in the central
parts of Europe which had enabled France to detach
such a large portion of her forces to the Crimea. He
did not desire to see the war extended to the central
parts of Europe, if, by possibility, that dreadful cala-
mity could be avoided ; and if be might offer any advice
to Austria, he would say, "Be armed—be strong—
threaten—be always ready to strike, but withhold your
hand until circumstances may occur which will justify
your action, and insure you almost certain success."
While he so far approved of the conduct of Austria, and
justified her caution, and believed she had acted accord-
ing to the dictates of political prudence, he must express
the apprehension which he felt at the reports which were
daily circulated with respect to the intended reduction
of the Austrian forces. (Hear.) He cared little about her
diplomacy, but he attached great importance to her mili-
tary movements. If she really had determined to make
a large reduction of her army, that was indeed an event
of the greatest possible significance, for it indicated an
entire change in her intentions and her policy. (Hear.)
Such a proceeding would not only have a great effect
upon the war with Russia, but upon the position of every
state of Europe. Austria would be placing herself on a
level with Prussia—reducing herself from that position
of influence which she ought to possess as the first
great German power, and depriving herself of the means
of protecting Turkey ; for it was not the extent of ter-
ritory possessed by a nation—not the amount of its popu-
lation—not its financial means that gave it real influence
in negotiations ; it was the amount and real value of its
disposable military force which gave influence and effect
to any state. (Hear, hear.) Looking at our changed
position, it was impossible for him not to view with
considerable apprehension the condition in which this
country was placed. He earnestly pressed upon the con-
sideration of the Government the position in which the
country now stood. By our alliance with Turkey,
France, and Sardinia, and the hope of having in the field
350,000 of the disposable troops of Austria, we might
look with seine degree of confidence to the result of the
war ; but if we were compelled to dismiss from our minds
the hope of receiving such assistance—if we were to be
compelled to rely upon our own resources alone, it
was the bouaden duty of the Government to consider
most earnestly and seriously by what means our military
resources might be largely increased, and at once to pro-
pose to Parliament measures which he deemed under
present circumstances peculiarly essential to a satisfac-
tory conclusion of the war. If statesmen did not take
care what they were about, the people, disgusted with
failure, would at no distant period leave statesmen to
fight it out by themselves. (Hear.)
The Duke of ARG YLL said that if to secure Austrian
co-operation we had sent our armies to the Danube, she
might have aided us to the frontier of the principalities ;
but there was nothing to lead us to suppose that she
would have continued that co-operation for any move-
ment beyond it. The noble and learned lord had ex-
pressed it as his opinion that no power had gained at the
conferences at Vienna except Russia, that power having
announced to Austria its willingness to concede two
points in which she was greatly interested. But that
intimation might have been given, and probably would
have been giyen, by Russia, even if the conferences had
not been entered into at all. (Hear.)
Lord DENMAN expressed a hope that more concili-
atory language would be adopted towards those nations
with whom this country was in alliance or might be ne-
gotiating. _

After a few remarks from the Marquis of Grawni-
cAuDEland Earl GRANVILLE, their lordships adjourned
at half-pmt nine.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—(YESTERDAY.)
The SPEAKER took the chair at 12 o'clock.
The Lords' amendments to the Electric Telegrap'a
Company's Bill were considered.
The following bills were read a third time and
passed :—Barrow Harbour, Farness Railway, and
Keighley and Kendal Road.
The following bills were considered and ordered to Fie
read a third time :—Bradford Corporation Water ; New
River Company and Trustees of the River Lee (No. 2).
BIRKENHEAD AND LIVERPOOL DOCKS BILL.
On the consideration of the above bill,
Mr. HORSFALL moved that it be read a third time
on Thursday next:
Mr. MILNER GIBSON said he wished to introduce
an amendment. He considered it right to support the
committees of the house generally ; but with respect to
this particular measure he believed the committee had
not the public interests represented before them, and
it was for the conservation of the public in.
terests that he wished to have an amendment
added to the bill. A commission had been appointed to
inquire into the dues levied upon ships and goods in
various parts of the United Kingdom, and it was the
intention of Parliament to legislate upon that report ;
and it was recommended by the Board of Trade that
any arrangement that might now be sanctioned with
respect to the Birkenhead Docks might not embarrass
any measures that Parliament might see necessary to
carry into effect. The right hon. gentleman concluded
by moving to insert certain words in the bill, the effect
of which was that the Corporation of Liverpool should
not have the power of diverting the dues raised on
shipping from maritime to mere corporation purposes.
Mr. G. BUTT opposed the amendment.

Mr. LABOUCEtERE expressed a hope that the house
would support the decision which the committee, after
sitting nearly three months, had arrived at, and pass the
bill as it now stood.

Mr. BRIGHT supported the amendment.
Mr. BOUVERIE, believing that the Corporation of
Liverpool had out-generalled the Board of Trade on
this bill, said he should support the amendment.
Mr. WALPOLE supported the bill as it came from
the committee.

Mr. CHAMBERS, who addressed the house amidst
repeated cries of "divide," proceeded to point out the am-
biguous construction of the clause, and stated it to be
his intention to support the amendment.
Mr. HORSFALL regretted the hon. member for
Manchester had moved this amendment, and had im-
pugned the conduct of the committee. The committee,
after much care and attention, agreed to this clause,
adding to it the special report alluded to by the hon.
member for Manchester. The retention of this clause
was of such vital importance, that the promoters of the
bill were advised that if the amendment of the right
hon. gentleman the member for Manchester be carried
it must be fatal to the bill, because it would prejudice
the rights of the corporation.
Mr. G. VERNON defended the construction of the
clause, contending that the words used were plain and
comprehensive.
After some remarks from Mr. RICE in favour of the
clause, ,
Mr. CARDWELL said that bnt one clear meaning
appeared to pervade the house, and to be the same as that
which originally pervaded the committee, that this bill
should stand on its own merits to effect the important
object for which it was intended, and that nothing in the
operation of the bill should be pleaded in bar
hereafter to any public measures the Crown might
think proper to introduce in conformity with the recom-
mendation of the commissioners, which had been laid on
the table. Ile thought that house was not a good tri-
bunal fcr deciding on the legal application of specific
words, and he felt a difficulty in appreciating the precise
effect between the words of the clause and the ainend-
ment. When his right hon. friend laid on the table the
measure of Government he believed that measure would
receive the full and dispassionate consideration of the
house, unprejudiced by the fact that the clause had been
introduced into a private bill. Believing that to be an
understood thing, he thought it was undesirable to pre-
judice the matter by a division, and that his right hon.
friend would do wisely to accept the clause in the words
in which the committee had presented it.
Mr. GIBSON said that being the understanding he
would withdraw the amendment.

The amendment was accordingly withdrawn, and the
bill read a third time.

EAST KENT RAILWAY (EXTENSION TO
DOVER) BILL.

On the Speaker putting the question that this bill be
read a third time,

Mr. BROCK NiAN opposed the third reading of the
bill, believing that whilst there was a line to Folkestone
the public did not require one to Dover, and complained
that the South-Eastern Company had not been heard
against the bill. He proposed the re-committal of the
bill.

Captain EGERTON, chairman of the committee, de-
fended their conduct. The reason the committee re-
fused to hear the South-Eastern Company was that no
property belonging to them was affected by this bill.
Mr. FITZROY considered no case had been made
out for the re-committal of this bill.
Mr. RICH denied that the property of the South
Eastern Railway was not affected by this bill. He
1 proceeded to show that the line in question pa,sel be-
tween the terminus of the South Eastern Railway at
Dover and the pier where passengers embarked and dis-
embarked from the steamers. It also pasted over the
1 flags in front of the Lord Warden Hotel, which be-
longed to the South-Easters Company, although
leased for a number of years. The hon. gentleman con-
tended that the South-Eastern Company ought to have
been beard against this bill.
Mr. RICH explained that the pledge given by the
company had reference to the construction of a ;pain