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

AMERICA.

In answer to a question from Lord STRATHEDEN,
Earl RUSSELL said that about an hour before
the meeting of the house the French Ambassa-
dor had called on him at the Foreign Office,
and said that he had heard it very generally rumoured that
he had received orders to make a communication to her Ma-
jesty's Government relative to America. The French Am-
bassador then informed him that he had no orders to make
any proposition from the Emperor of the French such as
had been reported; but the Emperor was desirous of
acting in concert with the British Government to
bring about a cessation of hostilities in America.
The Sheep and Cattle (Scotland) and the Oath Relief
(Scotland) bills were read a second time.
The Sale of Mill Sites (Ireland) Bill passed through
committee and was reported.

vv
The reports of amendments in the Volunteers and Regi-
mental Debts bills were brought up and receivad.
The Postmaster-General's Sale of Lands Bill was read a

second time.

The Local Government (No. 2) Bill passed through com-

mittee.

The Waywarden's Contracts Bill was read a third time
and passed.
The District Parochial Churches (Ireland) Bill passed
through committee.
The Inclosure (No. 2) Bill was read a third time and
passed.

THE lONIAN ISLANDS.
The Earl of DERBY 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 should
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 of 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 had 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 plenipotentiaries. 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 Corm 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 I
not help wishing the 'Wens 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 strengthening the fortilcations
of Corfu had been done solely for the benefit and advan-
tage of the lonians. We had had British interests in
view there. (Hear, hear.) 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 dukes Neewry-
castle) had declared, in a despatch sent out
long since, and in debates in that house, that the Prnot,ec,_
torate should be maintained at all lands.ha. T_l_rreeece Pi;
earl, after the revolution which
forcetok n_ "9 Greeks,
October last, la tel been looking
ed the
and he promised to cede the lonian Islands Pactio to the
lonians wished, and the Powers that woreling
Prince
then hie father stie
treaty of 1815 consented. But when
William of Denmark was offered the crotiwcie,
d although the
pulated that the lonian Isles should be anent,.
He wished
other Powers had not been asked to cop_oution to secure
to know if the noble earl had takon.aonwyhorec
were entitled to
hulaltywians tthoebelodnoiazne
the payment of pensions to. persons
them for serving her Majesty
Islands. He wished also to know
Were.they_toowbe demolished, or
with the works at Corfu?
theyers Werer hteoybwe were
lett to act as a temptation to warring.rt:
to find soldiers for
now garrisoned by British troops'
to the Greek army, it might not be easy
them. That army he understood consisted of B,oeo sol-
diers, and 4,000 officers--(a laugh)—rat her a strange pro-
portion. He should like alto to know what was to be done
with the guns and stores. And he trusted that the noble
earl had provided for the Greek loan which had been raised
in this country. lie found 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
a year each, in addition to his civil list. He would not go
further. He supposed there was
c no
..
use in contending
against that which was un fait accompli.
Earl RUSSELL said that his noble friend (Lord Pal-
merston) was
perfectly right in saying that the assent of
Parliamentlsland which wasnot necessary for the cession of the lonian
werenot pert of the dominions or territory
British belonging to the Crown. The noble earl seemed
to think it very strange that the Powers who were parties
to the treaty of Viennashouelod have
the an
iyoregian ardtothe
welfare or happiness
of the
The British Government wasl3 notp anxious for the Islands.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 he thought
that they had too many military foreign stations all over the
world—(hear)—more than they might find it convenient