The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-01 00:00:00

THE lONIAN ISLANDS.

The Earl of DE tt•BY said that in moving for a copy of
the proclamation issued by Sir Henry Storks, for the an-
nexation of the lonian Islands to Greece, it was not his in-
tention to enter at any length into the question of the
policy which had dictated the annexation. He sheuld
merely take that opportunity of expressing his disapproval
of that policy, and his dissent from the assertion made by
the noble viscount at the head ot the Government, in ano-
ther place, that as they were making a cession of that
which was not part of the territories of the Crown, the
subject was not a fit one for discussion in Parliament. He
(the Earl of Derby) maintained, on the contrary, that every
act of a responsible Minister was a fit subject for discussion
in Parliament. (Hear.) He had a very strong opinion as
to the inexpediency of the surrender of the protectorate,
which would be eminently disadvantageous to the lonian
Islands themselves, and not conducive to the interests
either of this country or of Europe. Her Majesty's Govern-
ment hat exhibited a rather romantic generosity on the
subject. Their only thought seemed to be the interests and
the gratification of the lonian Isles. They never seemed to
think that the interests and advantage of England ought to
be consulted. The Powers who were parties to the treaties
which established the protectorate all wish that England
should hold those islands. Surely it was not love merely for
the people of the islands and attention to their interests
which actuated the plenipotentaries. Other matters en-
tered into the arrangement, such as the prevention of other
powerful maritime states getting possession of Corfu, and
the general question of preserving peace and the balance of
power in Europe. High naval authorities had stated that
the port of Corfu was a most important position for Great
Britain to hold; and the only change which in his opinion
had been effected by steam, was to make the possession
of Corfu more than ever important. (Hear, hear.) They
were bringing into the kingdom of Greece a restless and
aggressive people at a time when they wanted to secure the
peaceful condition and unaggressive character of the new
kingdom. The islands themselves would be material suf-
ferers. A restless and dissatisfied portion of the population
were opposed to the British protectorate, and anxious for
union with Greece, but the thinking people had no such
desire. They were too well aware of the advantages which
they derived from the protectorate. They had enjoyed a large
amount of material prosperity. They had the advantage
of well-regulated institutions, and they had a large and
well-disciplined force of British soldiers in garrison. If
any portion of the Greek army were to be introduced instead
of the British, when soldiers should be withdrawn, he could
not help wishing the lonians joy of the change. (Hear,
and a laugh.) But, as regarded the European question, the
first great maritime Power that could seize Corfu would
certainly do so in the next war that might break out. The
noble earl would not surely assert that the vast expenditure
which had been made in streegthening the fortifications
of Corfu had been done solely for the benefit and advan-
tage of the lonians. We had had British interests in
view there. (Hear, hoar.) Some of the most exalted
statesmen of England had declared the importance of the
possession of Corfu, and some rather sudden change
must have come over the opinions of some even of her
Majesty's present Ministers; for the noble duke (New-
castle) had declared, in a despatch sent out not very
.
long since, and in debates in that house, that the praoetece
torate should be maintained at all hazards. The co
earl, after the revolution which took place in Ge
in
October last, had been looking for a King for the (}re
and he promised to cede the lonian Islands provid ed
roes
pto
rince the
lonians wished, and the Powers that were
treaty of 1815 consented. But when the
,V
-his father sti •
William of Denmark was offered the crown,
seat. although the
pula-ed that the lonian Isles should be added, He wished
other Powers had not been asked to conreos
ution to secure
to know if the noble earl had taksaanwy who
h were entitles re
the payment of pensions to persons
also
Nt,oirerekn.tnoh,:eye;ohwaterwse: to be
were
now in the lonian
them for serving her Majesty faithfully
to be demolished
Islands. He wiehed
with the works at Corfu?
left to act as a temptation to warn.
If they
ad soldiers for
now garrisoned by British trootpbse
easy
find
were to be left
to the Greek army, it might no to .
he understood consisted ot 8,0,0 sol-
diers,them. That army
laegh)—rather a strange pro-
portion. and 4,000 on
like also to know what was
He shouldto be done
And
with the guns and stores. he trusted that the noble
Greek
earl had provided for the
found loan which had been raised
in this country. by the agreement entered
into with the new King of Greece, Prince 'William of Den-
mark, that the three. Powers are to endow him with £4,000
each, in addition to his civil • a yearlist. He would not go
further. He supposed there was no use "
in contending
against that which was unfelt accompli.
Earl RUSSELL said that his noble friend (Lord Pal-
merston) was perfectly right in saying that the assent of
Parliament was not necessary f r the cession of the lonian
Islands, Which were not part of the dominions or territory
belon •
ging to the British Crown. The noble earl seemed
to think it very strange that the Powers who were parties
to the treaty of Vienna should have any regard to the
welfare or happiness of the people ot the lonian Islands.
The British Government was not anxious for the pro-
tectorate. The Austrian Government would like to have
had it. But the Russian and Prussian arguments pre-
vailed, and England finally undertook it. He did not
think it was a very heavy charge that her Majesty's Go-
vernment should have had a wish to forward the happiness
and contentment of the lonians; and, as to the suddenness
of their resolution to give up the protectorate, the noble lord
should remember the fact that the revolution in Greece
which led to the proposition had been very precipitate.
(Hear.) Her Majesty's Government wished to prevent the
kingdom of Greece from falling into disorder. They wished
to see it under a strong constitutional monarchy, and they
directed all their efforts to effect that end. As to the Prince
of Denmark stipulating for the cession of the lonian Islands
it was only a condition which was likely to be fulfilled. If
it were not, then the Prince would not be bound to accept
the throne. But the people and the parliament of the lonian
Islands had often declared their deliberate desire to be
united to Greece, and it appeared to her Majesty's Govern-
ment to be a very natural wish. lie would not depreciate
the value of Corfu as a military station; but ho thought
that they had too many military foreign stations all over the
world-,(hear)—more than they might find it convoiellt to

Jt .

defend in case:of a war. (Hear.) He thought it would be
rather a facility if they had only one great station in the
Mediterranean to defend in time of war. When they consi-
dered the number of the British army which was kept up in
tirue of peace, it would strike them at once what must be
the effect of being obliged to stand off 69.,000 or 70,000 men
to garrison distant foreign stations the moment a war
should break out. (Hear.) Moreover, he did not think it
unworthy of this great nation to show that it was not a
mere desire of dominion that inspired it, but that it could
help in establishing the independence and happiness of
others. (Hear.) It was best to make this cession when there
was no pressure upon us—to do it voluntarily. (Hear,
hear.) As to consulting the other Powers, the very first
th ng he did was to inform the representatives of Russia,
Austria, France, and Prussia that such a cession was in
contemplation. Austria did na like the proposition, but she
was not so unreasonable as to set her own opinions in oppo-
sition to the strong desires and interests of the lonians and
of Greece, and the wishes of England and the other Powers.
France and Ilussia most readily agreed. The affairs of
Greece were now happily in the course of settlement. It
was not because no actual difficulties had arisen that there
had not been danger. The lonian Parliament would be

assembled and consulted. The Greet Powers wou;d then
be asked to consent to the union of the islands with Greece.
Tne deb's and engagements would of course be provided for.
It would be impossible for her Majesty's Government to
abdicate the protectorate until the engagements were pro-
vided for. The forts, with the guns and stores, would be
t o granted
be
a t
Athens, to
Sir J. Wyse had made arrange-
ments4b
,uotoot hae
.matterear might will ofw eflcoursehe be e
paidsubmitted
ffor
the
sake of settling Parliament.
so difficult a matte- and the noble earl and
others sought to make some allowance for the difficulties of
the case. The revolution in Greece was not made at the
suggestion of the British Government, and he (Earl Rus-
sell) should ever feel happy that he had contributed his
best advice in effecting such a satisfactory termination to
what might have been a great peril to Europe.
The Duke of NEWCASTLE said that no proclamation
whatsoever had been issue-J. by Sir Henry Storks. He had
telegraphed to the Lord High ~'onarnissioner, who had re-
plied by telegraph that no proclamation had been issued,
and that a hat had taken place would be found in a de-
spatch which had been sent forward. That despatch had
arrived yestercay, and what had occurred was simply this -
The Greek archbishop had oraleseda " To Deem,' in the
cathedral. Sir H. Storks, fearing the excitable nature of
the peopl,, informed the archbishop that he would hold him
responsible for anything that might take place. The arch.
bishop sent back to say that Sir H. Storks, as the represen-
tative of the British Government, who aid done so much
for the lonians, would be joyfully received by them, and he
invited the Lord High Commissioner to attend the cathe-
dral. Sir H. Storks could not go under the circumstances,
but he sent his aide-de-camp and another officer, who at-
tended in plain clothes. They were loudly cheered in the
streets, loud vivas were shouted for the Queen and the Lord
High Commissioner; and when—after the " Te Deum"—
" God save the Queen" was sung in the church, the entire
congregation rose and cheered again and again. (Hear, and
a laugh.) That was the whole of what had taken place. As
to the allusion made by the noble earl to him, he had not
changed his opinion on the subject. He had raid there was
not, at the time he spoke and wrote, any intention on the
part of the Government to giVe up the protectorate; but he
himself had for many years been of opinion that we ought
to cede the lonian Islands to Greece, and not keep a protec-
torate which was not liked by the lonians.
Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE said that it
was impossible not to admire the sentiments which had
actuated the noble earl and inspired the line of conduct
which he had pursued with regard to the union of the
lonian Islands with Greece. But his (Lord Stratford de
Redcliffe's) experience in that part of the world pre-
vented him from giving his assent to the course which the
noble lord had adopted. He was completely in accord-
ance with the opinions held ty noble lords on the other
side of the IL,use upon this question, and he thought
1 that the noble earl (Earl kerby) had rendered great and
important service to the public by giving expression to the
sound views and opinions which he had just enunciated.
(Hear.) He did not think that Greece had shown herself
deserving of the favour which had been Shown to her.
(Hear, hear.) He did not think that the junction of the
Seven Islands with Greece would be advantageous either to
the new kingdom or to themselves. He greatly feared teat
the los- of the fortifictvions and harbour of Greece would be
severely felt by this country, and he thought that Turkey
would be seriously embarrassed by the new arrangement.
Lord TAUNTON could not allow the opportunity to
pass without expressing his deep gratification that her Ma-
jesty's Government had finally arranged to get rid of the
protectorate of the republic of the Seven islands. He had
long been of opinion that our protectorate was a source of
humiliation and shame, a reproach io this country, and he
had often said that he trusted no honourable opportunity of
relinquishing the protectorate wou!d be lost. A fair and
honourable opportunity had offered when the revolution in
Greece and the election of Prince William of Denmark
opened up a fresh prospect of peace and prosperity for that
interesting country; and he was rejoiced that it had been
accepted by his noble friend (Earl Russell).
After a few words of explanation from the Marquis of
NORMANBY and the Duke of NEWCASTLE, on the subject
of the expressions used in one of his despatches by the noble
duke, touching the maintenance of the protectorate,
The Earl of HARDWICKE expressed his concurrence
in the views of the Earl of Derby.
The Earl of DERBY said that, as he found there was no
such document in existence as ',that for the production of
which he had moved, he should beg leave to withdraw his
motion. •

The motion was accordingly withdrawn.
JUDGES IN THE
,lONIAN ISLANDS.

-- ,
Lord CHELMSFORD rose to call the attention of the
of the
house to the papers laid upon the table as to the removal of
two lonian judges of the Supreme Council of Justice of 0
lonian Islands; and to put a question to the Secretary
to
State for the Colonies upon the subject of ththeapoe
island,.
which persons may have become entitled in ted to
Sir George Mar-
the former motion regarding those judges,t contsin the infer-
He complained that the papers which b been go 3
koran and Sir Anastasio Xidian, did not con
the eir-
mation which he wanted. The notlereni
oval of the two
cumstances which surrounded thehad
been stigmatised by
asp any taty political part what-
judges, and complained that tht;cyai
demagogues, although
what-
they the e
yDdni
distinctly
noeftl Newcastleydenied h avais z
Is.
n-adidal appointments.
soever from the time of their]sTix
defended the conduct of
The Duke of NEW
_Cintii,g the judges, he con-
ibilejEk; `volitionlolgiesTrewleeftasintlet)hointsi
s ted
thatwh i c
heh
sidered unfitted to be o,
Sir Henry Storks
they held. Ilea(e
~,,,ing the term " political dematroguea"
was justified` n ph Leta those two judges belonged. He made
to the party w
teveragainst the personal honour of the two
no charge 110 constant intrigues of the party to which
udg es, '
but
rendered it impossible to retain them in.
they were attachedpositions.
cif
their offi
Tha 001 of DERBY bore his testimony to the value of
the ee
rvices rendered by Sir Henry Storks, but he consi-
dered that he had been induced to act unadvisedly in the
removal of these two gentlemen from their judicial offices.
The noble earl proceeded to vindicate the honour and cha-
racter of Sir George Markoran and Sir Anastasio Xidian.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said that a hypothetical
case which he had put in the former debate had been
supposed to be a positive one, and he regretted to find
that it had given pain to a gentleman of the highest ho-
nour, a circumstance which he deeply deplored. He was
acquainted with many gentlemen who were connected with
the lonian islands, and they all assured him that a more
upright or more honourable man than Sir George Mar-
-1 koran was not to be found on earth. (Hear, hear.) He had

in the former debate stated that he had the greatest syna-
paihy for these judges, and that he deeply regretted the
subject had been brought before the house, That opinion
was strengthened by the renewal of the subject that
evening.

The debate was then allowed to drop.
MILLINERS AND DRESSMAKERS.

The Earl of SHAFTESBURY moved that an humble
address be presented to her Majesty, praying that an inquiry
into the physical and moral condition of the milliners and
dressmakers be made by the Royal Commission now sitting
on the "state of children and young persons in trades and
manufactures not regulated by law."
Earl GRANVILLE said that on inquiry of his right
hon. friend the Secretary of State for the Home Depart-
ment (Sir G. Grey) he found that the commission had
power already to examine the cases referred to by the noble
Earl, and Sir George Grey had accordingly directed the
attention of the commissioners to the condition of the dress-
makers and milliners.

The Earl of SHAFTESBURY withdrew his motion.
Their lordships then adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS—Last Evening.
The SPEAKER took the chair at twenty minutes past
twelve o'clock.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The North-Eastern and Stockton and Darlington Rail-
way Companies Amalgamation Bill was considered with
reference to certain amendments, and was ordered for third
reading.
The Dulas Valley Mineral Railway Bill, the OkeharoP
ton and Lidford Junction Railway Bill, and the 'Watford
and Rickmaneworth Railway Bill were considered and or-
dered for third lectding.
The Putney and Fulham New Bridge and Pier Bill was
read a second time.
FISHERIES (IRELAND) BILL.
With
r i to,gh
t the
o f
The house then went into committee on this bill.
parties, amendment
Clause 6 was agreed to with amendments.
On clause 7, Mr,. 131.7 VT moved
effect that the certificate of the commissioners should b©
final as to the respective rights of
appeal within a limited time.
Tbe committee divided, when there ap e-
P ,red—
For the amendment.....
Against it .............. 4
Majority
Mr. bI‘MAIION thou movcd - Lat
giving
rawer
to
seize
and
Ic)Ile , . addition to the clause
a nets, and making a euntra.

...`~;;

- ',
.a

\~ t

vene4on of the law punishable by a fine of not less than £5
or more than £2O.

The committee divided, when there appeared—
For the amendment 3B
Against it
Majority
The amendment was, therefore, introluced into the
clarse.

Mr. HODGSON moved a direct negative to clause 9,
which proposes that compensation shall be awarded to the
proprietors of weirs in certain cases.
Mr. BRUCE defended the allowance of compensation,
as simply just to the owners of property.
Aftei some discussion the amendment was negatived
without a division.

TMr. BRUCE agreed to the omission of clause 9.
Clauses 10 and 11 were agreed to, after some discussion,
and the introduction of some amendments, especially one
by M.r. Butt to the effect that one of the commissioners
should be a barrister whose duty it would be to be present

at every eceeting.

Clauses up to 16, with some amendments, were agreed to.
There are 33 clauses in the bill, and six pages of amend-
ments ars still on the " votes."

At 4 o'clock the sitting was suspended,
The house resumed at 6 o'clock.
PUBLIC WORKS (IRELAND).

In reply to Mr. LANIGAN,

Sir R. PEEL said is was not the intention of the Govern •
ment tD introduce any bill this session to facilitate the exe-
cution of public works in Ireland.
REFUSAL OF A CLEARANCE TO THE
GIBRALTAR.

Mr. HORSFALL asked the Under-Secretary of State for
Foreign Affairs whether the British ship Gibraltar, bound
for Nassau, had been refused a clearance by the Customs
authorities at Liverpool ; if so, on what ground the refusal
was based, and whether it had been done at the instigation
of Mr. Adams, the American Minister.
Mt .L AY ARD, in reply, said—l bet; to remind the house
that the Gibraltar is another name for a wEll-known vessel,
the Sumter. That vessel was sold at Gibraltar under pecu-
liar circumstances. She tame to Liverpool, and it became
known to the Government that she was shipping guns of a
very heavy calibre, and for that reason her clearance had
been stopped by the Custom-house officers, but not at the
instigation of Mr. Adams. It has since been found that
these guns do not constitute a fit and proper armament for
the vessel itself, and the officers of the Crown are of opinion
that the fact of shipping these guns is not sufficient to
authorise the Government to withhold the clearance, which
will be returned,
THE NATIONAL SCHOOL AT GREENWICH.

Sir S. M. PETO asked the Civil Lord of the Admiralty
whether it was intended to erect an additional wing to the
Nautical School Buildings at Greenwich, which would not
be in keeping with the new wing lately erected at a consi-
derable cost to the funds at Greenwich Hospital ; and,
whether there would be any objection to an outline plan of
the proposed wing being laid before Parliament before in-
curring any further expenditure on account thereof.
Mr. STANSFELD—The plans had only been considered
by the board. When adopted they would be laid on the
table. In the meantime he should be happy to show them
to his hon. friend.

THE ANCIENT CHURCH OF AUSTIN-FRIARS.

In reply to Mr. FoßTEscvz,

Mr. COWPER said he had no information whether it
was intended to demolish this building, and that he had no
power to prevent it.
THE NAVIGATION OF THE SI.OUR.
In reply to Colonel R OWLET,

Mr. F. PEEL said negotiations were pending to secure
the rights of navigation of the Stour, and that parts of the
bed of the river was an oyster bed, which was independent
of the conservancy of the Stour.