The Sun.
London, England, 1864-03-05 00:00:00

TARIFF BETWEEN AUSTRIA AND THE

ZOLLVEREIN.

111 reply to Mr. S. FITZGERALD,

Mr. M. GIBSON said that the Government had been
made aware of the project of a traffic between Austria and
the Zollverein, but did not think it in any way affected
British interests.

GOVERNMENT ANNUITIES BILL AND THE
PENAL SERVITUDE BILL.;
In reply to an HoN. MEMBER.,
Lord PALMERSTON said that it was proposed to
proceed with those bills this evening, the Government
Annuities Bill to be taken first. The army estimates
w°ull net be proceeded with on Monday.
PUBLIC PROXIES VOTING PAPERS.
On the motion for
going into Committee of Supply.
Mr. D. GRIFFITas
moved that the stamp on proxy
papers, used for the
associations, and charities, being a tax `which impedes the
Purpose of voting in public companies,
exercise of a franchise, might
to Id. conveniently be reduced

Some discussion ensued, but the motion was withdrawn.
THE PROCEEDINGS AT SOOcHOW.
Colonel SYKES called the attention of the house to
the following resolution, passed unanimous'meeting
of the Consuls representing European nation's atat aShanghai
on the 16th December, 1863, at the BritisgheCononsaun
moved by Mr. Markham, the British actin fate,
and
seconded by Mr. Keswick, Danish Consult
that thaiasl,
ing, as representing the whale foreign community rilvieet.
with unqualified disapprobation the late proceeding; ofatwha
Footai Soochow as an act of extreme treaehery,abhorent
, and the aid of
to human nature, calculated to withdrawn from the Imperial
cause the sympathies of Western nations
the gallant officers who have hitherto assisted them," and
asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether, with this
renewed instance of perfidy in Imperial officials, it is in.
tended by her Majesty's Government to pass unnoticed
further violations of the instructions of the Foreign
Office, to British authorities in China, to be strictly
neutral in the civil war which has so long raged in China.
The hon. and gallant member said that a force, consisting
of 200 men of the 67th Regiment, 100 men of the Royal
Artillery, and 100 men of the 22d Native Infantry, under
Major Murray,
R.A., together with 200 Beloochees, had
bee thrown into two cities beyond the 30 mile boundary of
the treaty ports. The garrisoning of those two cities by the
British had enabled Major Gordon to advance with his en-
tire force to Soochow. This place had been taken by com-
mand of the major-general commanding the forces in China,
Major-Geu. Brown. The house had repeatedly heard the
Prime Minister, the Under Secretary of State for Foreign
Affairs, and the Secretary of the Admiralty declare that
her Majesty's Government had issued instructions that
strict neutrality was to be maintained in China beyond
the 30 mile limit from the treaty ports, which it was
thought necessary to maintain in security against the effects
of the contest between the rebels and the Tartar Govern-

went. The moment he had received that communication
from China, knowing that others had been issued from the
Foreign-office, and recollecting the statements that lad been
made in that house, he had immediately ad irpsed Earl
Russell, bringing to his notice this violation his orders,
and stating that he (Col. Sykes) should cons,d, r it his duty
to bring that violation of his orders by M ijer-Gen. Brown
before the notice of the House of Commons. R was in ful-
filment of that pledge that he now addressed himself to the
house. The butchery referred to at the meeting of the con- I
suls had been perpetrated by perfidy. Perhaps the hon.
gentleman, the Under Secretary, would tell the house, as
he had told him (Col. Sykes) that this butchery was an ex-
aggeration—that he had heard it from Major Gordon. But
Major Gordon had not witnessed those butcheries, having
been almost a prisoner on the 4th and sth December, and
having no means of preventing them, from his having sent
his troops back to their headquarters. Great results often
followed very small causes. So it had been in this case ;
for if Major-General Brown had followed his instructions
and not garrisoned those two towns, one of which was 45
miles and the other 100 miles from Shanghai, Major Gor-
don could not have withdrawn his whole force, and could
not have made such an impression upon Soochow as led to
the surrender of the place by treachery, In which he was
sorry to say Major Gordon himself had taken part. The
honourable and gallant member then proceeded, with the
aid of several extracts from Chinese newspapers and
correspondence, to detail the circumstances attend-
ing the surrender of Soochow. That city being
invested by the Imperial forces, part of which consisted of
disciplined Chinese and Europeans under Major Gordon,
the garrison and inhabitants it would appear, had been in-
duced, after repulsing several attacks, to capitulate on
the understanding that their lives and property were
to be saved. That capitulation, he thought, had been
brought about, to a great extent, by the belief of the rebel
chiefs in the statement of Major Gordon that the promise of
the Imperial Vicerey or Footai should be kept. So far,
however, from this, on the chiefs surrendering they were
at once decapitated, and possession of the city gates being
obtained, the Imperial troops poured into the city and plun-
dered and massacred for a period of 20 days. The treachery
at Soochow had led to the slaughter of no less, according to
one account, than 30,000 men, women, and children. It
might perhaps be supposed by some that the affair was
accidental ; but in truth it was part ani parcel of the cruel
and treacherous habits which had always characterised the
Tartar Government. All of us, unhappily, had painful
recollections of the tortures indicted upon some of our
officers on their way to Pekin. After enumerating other
instances of cruelty en the Chinese, the hon. gentleman
concluded by expressing his regret that her Majesty's Go-
vernment had sanctioned the employment of British officers
in the imperial armies.

Lord PALMERSTON—Sir, I think that, on the gene-
ral question, I concur entirely with my hon. and gallant
friend, for my opinion is that it is for our interest that the
rebellion should cease, and that the authority of the Em-
peror should be maintained or re-established in China.
It cannot be to the advantage of those who trade with
China that that country should be the scene of civil war.
If there were any possibility of the rebels succeeding in
dethroning the Emperor, and establishing some other
Government in lieu of his, it might then be a matter of
choice between the two Governments. In that case persons
might, according to the particular views they took, think
it desirable or not that the present dynasty should be
maintained, or that the rebel dynasty is one which
should be put in its place. But there is no chance of it.
The rebellion has not in itself the elements of success or
organisation. I think, therefore, it is necessary for the
commercial interests of this country that order should be
re-established, so that commerce may be carried on. It
was for that purpose that permission was given to Captain
Osborn and Mr, Lay to organise a naval force for the pur-
pose of co-operating with the Imperial Government; and it
was with that view that an order in Council was passed
permitting British subjects to join the service of the Empe-
ror of China. Unfortunately, neither of these arrangements
have answered their purpose. The expedition of Captain
Osborn has returned, he having had differences with the
Imperial Government. Captain Osborn did not think it
consistent with his duty and his honour to continue in the
service of that Government. With regard to the expedition
under Captain Osborne, which entireiy failed, the order in
council authorising it was revoked--(hear, hear)—and as
the conduct of the Chinese officials was so disgraceful, the
other order in Council was also revoked—(hear, hear)—
leaving it to the prerogative of the Crown to grant permis-
sion to individuals, if they think proper, to enter the service
of the Emperor of China, upon application in each case by
the individual concerned. Nothing can be more deserving
of condemnation than the conduct of the Footai of Soochow.
I am afraid I must admit that all nations have their pecu-
liar faults, but there are two faults with which we must
reproach the Chinese—the one is cruelty, and the other is
perfidy. (Hear, hear, and a laugh.) They have certainly
shown, on this occasion, most lamentable instances of both,
We don't exactly know what was done in consequence of
barbarous act of treachery. Colonel Gordon, according to
our accounts, was only waiting to know what course the
Imperial Government would take. He made representations
to Sir F. Bruce, who no doubt would truly represent the
matter to Prince Kung; the result of that communication
is still unknown ; but let us hope that adequate punish
went will be inflicted upon the Footai for his barbarous
conduct on that occasion. That conduct we are entitled
to resent, because Colonel Gordon was made the unwil-
ling instrument to lure the people into the power of the
Footai, and was consequently made the instrument of those
barbarous executions. Not only should we endeavour to
prevent any further acts of that kind, but it was our duty to
make strong representations upon the point. At the same
time, I can only repeat what I have already said, that her
Majesty's Government deeply lament and indignantly con-
demn the conduct of the Footai. We don't kr.ow what the
Chinese Government have done on the subject. There are
some papers to which my hon. and gallant friend referred,
and these will be laid on the table in the course of a couple
of days. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. WHITE said he was happy the noble lord had in-
formed the house that the two orders in council had been
revoked; for he presumed that no British subject would in
future participate in hostilities against the Taepings.
Whatever the defects of the rebels might have been, the
conduct of the Imperialists was equally reprehensible in the
conduct of the war; and it was much to be deprecated that
her Majesty's Government had given any countenance to
the Chinese Government against the Taepinge. English
merchants and others in communication with China regret-
ted very much that her Majesty's Government had not car-
ried out their non-intervention policy in that country as
well as in their negotiations with other nations ; and there
could be no doubt that if such policy had been pursued, the
provinces of China which were now disturbed and impo-
verished would be in a condition of prosperity. The recent
proceedings in China had brought discredit upon the cha-
racter of this nation. (Hear, hear.)
Mr, KINNAIRD could not agree with the hon. member
as to his views of the policy of her Majesty's Government.
That policy was one for the protection of the ports, and con-
sequently the beat means of securing British interests.
BUILDING OF CONFEDERATE SHIPS IN
BRITISH PORTS.
Mr. LEFEVRE drew attention to the course pursued by
agents of the Confederate States of America in fitting out
vessels of war, and enlisting seamen in the porta of this
country—especially the Florida and Alabama—in violation
of the laws of neutrality. He admitted that the Govern-
ment had honestly enforced the provisions of the Foreign
Enlistmsnt Act, but he thought they should have adopted
the same course with regard to these vessels that they had
afterwards taken in the case of the steam rams at Liverpool.
He contended that it was both our duty and our interest to
prevent such proceedings in English ports, and that to meet
the circumstances of which he complained our municipal
law ought to be amended. He invited the Government,
therefore, to inform the house what steps they had adopted
in the matter, and moved for any correspondence that
might have taken place with Confederate agents in this
country in relation thereto.

Lord R. MONTAGU said that the Alabama and the
other vessels had been built as mere commercial specula-
tions, and no hostile intent had been proved against them
to bring them within the action of our municipal laws.
With regard to the Alabama, it was not for us but the Fede-
rals to fit out a ship for her capture.
Mr. BAITER expressed his concurrence in the views
enunciated by Mr. Lefevre, and Mr. TAYLOR argued that
the Alabama and the other Confederate vessels should have
been stopped, even though the Government had to come for
a bill of indemnity in consequence.

The SOLICITOR-GENERAL said that, although
uthe
opposite taunts which had been levelled against the
desiredto
Go-
vernment might be left to answer eachether,
reply to the case
four
whichv vessel.,
s had b
e eito
escape
ur
gedm
our against
ports. them
And,f o
we
respect c t tee
utmhee
uFtl ohrsi
dd au. o
sßeforee
tathe
informationF l ri d aleft
f
r
he
for the Confederates. In the next
hofiwst ieraagrryst place,di
hn lewegsitdratienhl thewl destination
waslrrGiedbsoaepvienergt detained at Nassau, and an inquiry
to her in e
the
to theheConsullalreCriaduar,t,hwhich
s
ended in her acquittal. And
also to eta
that shet was no reason to be-
havehe was manned from the
deed, it appeared manned in this country ; in-
Confederate States, although
b een
that
thtahteres
impossible for them, therefore, to
hthaavne setsopep:drs
among her crew. It was im thero were some Englishmen
teG
ptherelyFeleoutriduati,esotreputooesdshavveestsreelahteedlouhgerinogthteeriwt i
s
re-
cognised belligerent. In the case of
no sufficient evidence of her being intendedhfrogriathtehegonhafed-
derates before she left our shores. But they
in
dsin ce re-
ceived information that she had been manned great
mea-
sure at Liverpool, and fact 6uch other information as had
induced the Government to institute a prosecution against
the Messrs, Jones and Co., of Liverpool, who were carrying
on an organised business of the kind. To come now tothe
case of the Alabama. No doubt that case differed from the
others; and it likewise differed from the case of the Alex-
andria, which was before the courts. The Alabama bad
what might be called exclusive warlike equipments—at least,
to a certain extent; upon her decks there were sockets for
guns, and these appeared to him to be warlike equipments.
Moreover, there was evidence before the law officers of the
Crown which showed that the Alabama was manned at
Liverpool by agents of the Confederate States, for the pur-
pose of fighting the Federals. The then law officers of the

hCerosiwinewwederetcolelaeralvyeofLoipvienripoonotlh; atbtuhto, Alauhfbearmthanashteoluyl,d
enhoet
escaped. This was not, however, a misfortune for which we
could be held responsible. She escaped by ruse, and under
pretence that she was going on a trial trip. Now, her Ma-
jesty's Government could not be held to insure foreign Go-
vernments that our laws should not be broken. All that could
be expected from them was that they should diligently, and
to the best of their ability, enforce the Foreign Eenlistment
Act. That we had, as he believed, done this, was a suffi-
cient answer to any claims for compensation which might
be made against us in respect of the capture of the Alabama,
The Rappahannock again escaped at night by a ruse, and
got to Calais, where she hoisted the Confederate flag.
But neither the Government nor even Mr. Adams had
any information of her equipment until she reached Ca-
lais, and we could not, therefore, be held responsible for her
escape. The greater part of the crew who sailed in her were
ignorant of the purpose for which they were engaged; and
it would, therefore, have been hard to institute a prosecu-
tion against them. The Government had, however, insti-
tuted a prosecution against an officer of the dockyard, who
was believed to have taken part in fitting out the Rappa-
hannock and engaging her crew. It had been said that the
four ships to which he had referred were substantially Bri-
tish ships. But that he denied; they were, to all intents
and purposes, Confederate ships of war, Again, it was said
we ought to pursue and capture them. But we could not
do so, because they were now the commissioned ships of a
recognised belligerent, and such a commission had been de-
cided by our own and also by the American courts to purge
all previous taint upon the origin of a vessel. There was more
to be said in favour of excluding these vessels from our ports
—bnt upon the whole her Majesty's Government thought
they would best preserve their neutrality by admitting then',
so long as Federal ships were permitted to resort to our
harbours. He could, however, quite conceive that there
might be conduct on the part of the Confederate Govern-
ment which would lead us to revoke the permission to their
vessels to enter our ports. He quite admitted that the fact
that we had not recognised the independence of the Confe-
derate States was no reason why we should not protest
against their violations of our neutrality, and the wrongs
done by them to British subjects. There was, however,
some difficulty in approaching them—but he believed that
before long steps would be taken to convey to them the re-
monstrances of her Majesty's Government, and to obtain
from them any explanation they might be able to give of
the conduct pursued by their agents. The hon. and
learned gentleman concluded by referring to the difficulty
of maintaining a strict neutrality between two exasperated
belligerents, and at the same time expressing the desire and
intention of her Maj sty's Government to adhere to the
course of strict impartiality which they had hitherto
pursued.

Sir E. COLEBROOKE did not think that the Govern-
ment ehould prevent the supply of ships to the Confede-
rates, unless they tie° prevented the export of arms to the
F ede rale.

Mr. J. EWART was desirous that the strictest neutra-
lity should be observed between the two belligerents.
The motion was then withdrawn.
GENERAL DOYLE.

In reply to Mr. HALIBURTO,;, - -
Mr. LAYAItD said it was not true, as stated in the
American newspapers, that the conduct of General Doy le
had been disapproved of by her Majesty's Government. On
the contrary, it had received their approval, and there was
therefore no reason to be believe that he would be recalled.
The house then went into committee of supply, but was
immediately resumed.

PENAL SERVITUDE ACTS AMENDMENT BILL.
On the order of the day for the second reading of thts
bill,

Mr. ADDERLEY moved as an amendment that the bill
be read a second time that day six months. The right hon.
gentleman argued that the penal law was at present neither
clear nor precise, and that the measure of the Government
would only make it still more mystified and doubtful. He
was of opinion that the punishment for crime should be
sharp, short, and certain, and that if any remission were
allowed it should be limited solely to improved treatment
and the adoption of a system of classification. If tickets or
licences of leave were granted they should be given uncon-
ditionally; he objected, therefore, to the proposal to sub.
ject the convict to the supervision of the police.
The amendment was seconded by Mr. BEACH, who,
however, expressed an opinion in favour of police supervi-
sion, which he observed had worked remarkably well in
Ireland.

➢ir. G. HARDY supported the bill, but suggested
various alterations and improvements that might be intro-
duced in committee with a view of rendering the measure
more efficient and useful.

After some observations from The O'CoNon DON and
Sir W. MILES,

Sir G. GREY replied in defence of the bill ; and ulti-
mately the amendment was withdrawn, and the bill was
read a second time.

The Inclosure Bill passed through committee.
The remaining business was also disposed of, and the
house adjourned at one o'clock.

RAILWAY INTEL LIGENCE.

LONDON AND NORTH-WESTERN.

The London and North-Western Railway Company are
serving the notices for the property required for the im-
provement of their passenger station, Lime-street, in Liver-
pool, and have decided on building a largo and convenient
hotel adjoining the station.

UXBRIDGE AND RICKMANSWORTII.
The half-yearly meeting of shareholders was held yester-
day at the office, Parliament-street; Lord Ebury in the
chair.

The Secretary read the report, which stated that the
obstacles which had hitherto prevented the commencement
of the line were now removed, and the works would be at
once commenced. The directors had sought the active sup-
port and co-operation of the Great 'Western Company, who
had agreed to work the line when ready for traffic. The
whole of the notices on the landowners for the purchase of
the land required for the line had been served.

The Cii;lltat.tx, in moving the adoPtion-Of the report,
said the confidence of the directors in the importance and
success of their line was increased by the proposed con-
struction of several adjacent lines, which would prove
feeders. The agreement with the Great Western Company
would, ho believed, prove mutually beneficial. The share-
holders might depend upon the works being pushed forward
as rapidly as possibly.

The report was andopted, and the retiring directors, Lord
Ebury and the Hon. R. Capel, were ro-elected.

The meeting was then made special, and the working
agreement with the Great Western Company was read by
the solicitor and agreed to.

The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks to the
chairman.

HATFIELD AND ST. ALBANS.
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yes-
terday, at the Great Northern Station, King's-cross—Mr.
Larry in the chair.

The report, an abstract of which has appeared in The
Sun, was read by the secretary.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said that the contractor would at once proceed with the con-
struction of the line, which the directors considered would
afford, when opened, a fair return upon its cost. The bills
contemplated by the Midland Railway Company would in
no way affect the interests of the undertaking.
The report was adopted, and the retiring directors, Lord
Ebury and the lion. R. Capel, were re-elected. Mr. Jenkins
was elected auditor in the place of Mr. Beattie, resigned.

WATFOItD AND RICKMANSWOETIL
The half-yearly meeting of this company was held yes-
terday at the office, Parliament-street—Lord Ebury in the
chair.

the secretary read the report, which stated that the traffic
receipts continued to increase, and the receipts for goods
traffic during the short period the goods stations had been
opened encouraged the directors to expect that a large re-
turn from this source when the line was fully at work. The
directors believed the earnings would soon be steadily aug-
mented, and that the railway would ultimately become
fairly remunerative.

The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
congratulated the shareholders upon the improving pro-
spects of the line, and he believed that, as the difficultits
attending the working of the line for the first few months
were removed, the earnings would be steadily increased and
at length would become remunerative. When the resources
of the line were developed he had no doubt as to the result.
The report was adopted, and a vote of thanks to the chair-
man closed the proceedings.

OSWESTRY, ELLESMERE, AND WHITCHURCH.
The half yearly meeting was held at Ellesmere on Satur-
day—Mr. G. H, Whalley, M.P., in the chair.
The report stated that the directors had sanctioned an
application to Parliament for increase of capital, and also,
with the consent of the Oswestry and Newtown Company,
had renewed the application for the extension of the line
from the neighbourhood of Ellesmere to Ruabon and Wrex-
ham. They had also exchanged running powers with other
companies, which would secure a thorough communication
between Merthy and Crewe.

Mr. It. Gartside was sliocted a director in the place of
Mr. Whalley, who Id not offer himself for re-eleetion.
Mr. Parson was re-elected.

The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the
chairman.

OSWESTRY AND NEWTOWN.
The half yearly meeting was held at Welsbpool on Mon-
day—Mr. G. H. Whalley, M.P., in the chair.
Tho CHAIRMAN, at great length, referred to the differences
existing between Mr. Savin and a majority of the Board,
and concluded by moving an adjournment of the meeting,
in order that souse amicable arrangement might bo effected.
A report by the directors was circulated among the share-
holders, but was not read to the meeting.
Captain JOHNS, a director, addressed the meeting at con-
siderable length, and concluded by submitting to the meet-
ing a report signed by himself and two other directors, Mr.
Tootal and Mr. Gartside, disapproving the course adopted
by the chairman and other directors.
This was carried by a large majority,
Mr, Oartside was re-elected a director, and Mr. Howell