The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-15 00:00:00

IMPERI

AMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS—TUESDAY.
Their Lordships assembled at five o'clock.
The Duke of SOMERSET gaye notice that he would, on
Thursday, move for a committee of inquiry into the recent
changes in the constitution of the Board of Admiralty,
and the practical working of the department.
In answer to Lord Truro,
Lord NORTHBROOK said it was the intention of the
Government to supply the artillery with breech-loading
carbines ; but this point was not considered of such imme-
diate importance as some others.
THE FISHERIES QUESTION.

In answer to a question from Lord Cairns,
Earl GRANVILLE said that the Commission appointed to
inquire into the Fisheries Question would have power
to discuss only the mode of settling the ques-
tion. It could not, of its own power, arrive
at a final settlement. If both sides of the
Commission agreed upon any course, it would be re-
ferred to their respective Governments, who might
authorise the conclusion Of a treaty. There would
be no question of a majority or minority. The members
of the Commission must agree:.
THE BLACK SEA.
Lord CAIRNS called attention to the recent statement
of Mr. Gladstone, touching the Black Sea provisions of
the Paris Treaty. He reviewed briefly the course of the
negotiations which led to the conclusion of the treaty,
pointing out that the neutralisation of. the Black Sea was
the one point upon which the English Government most
strongly insisted, the point upon which the failure of the
negotiations in 1855 at Vienna was determined. Yet
Mr. Gladstone had declared it to be his
own opinion that the Blatk Sea stipulations
could not be upheld. He had further stated that both
Lord Palmerston and Lord Clarendon had expressed the
belief that the neutralisation could not be maintained,
though both statesmen had laboured hard to bring about
that condition; and further, that France and Austria had
declared their indifference on the subject He (Lord
Cairns) desired to know the authority for this allegation
respecting British statesmen and foreign countries.
He stigmatised Prince Gortschakoff's circular as being so
undiplomatic in manner as to induce people generally to
believe that some ulterior design lurked behind it—a de-
sign upon the freedom of Turkey. The public came to
the conclusion that an interruption of friendly relations
with Russia was probable. Supposing that such rupture had
taken place, what would the public have thought if this
breach had
.taken place upon a point which, according to
Mr. Gladstone, was never deemed by leading statesmen
of England to be of any importance ? Was it not a more
grave indiscretion for the Prime Minister to come for-
ward in the middle of the Conference now sitting,
and declare that the point in dispute was
never in dispute at all, that English statesmen .
had said it was of no importance, and also France and
Austria? He concluded by asking whether the neutralisa-
tion of the Black Sea was yet in question.
Earl GRANVILLE complained of the time at which the
subject had been raised, and of the vagueness of the terms
in which notice had been given. He agreed with Mr.
Gladstone in saying that we did not consider the Black
Sea stipulations as the sole point of importance
in the Paris Treaty. Considerable moment was attached
to them, but the • circumstances were different now,
Turkey having a strong fleet, whereas she had none in
1856. Lord' Clarendon undoubtedly attached great impor-
tance at the time to these stipulations, and the
Prime Minister must in that respect have, been
mistaken. As to Lord Palmerston's opinion, he knew
that that statesman had officially notified to the Turkish
Government his opinion that within ten years from the
conclusion of the treaty Russia would make further
attempts of aggression. Happily, that foresight was not
realised.
The Marquis of SALISBURY was glad that negotiations
had commenced before the Prime Minister had
declared that the object for which the Conference was
stimmoned was perfectly worthless. He thought Mr.
Gladstone's conduct was unparalleled. It would be fatal
to the principles of Government if a Prime Minister
could thus justifiably discredit the policy of his col-
leagues.
The House adjourned at five minutes past six.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—TUESDAY.
The Speaker took the chair at four o'clock.
A large number of private bills relating to railways,
tramways, gas and water companies, were introduced and
read a first time,

._
MONEY ORDER OFFICES.
Mr. GREAVES gave notice that on the 14th March he
should call attention to the desirability of inereasing the
number of money order offices in rural districts, and the
revision of the charges, so as to increase their usefulness
to the poorer classes.
POOR LAW ADMINISTRATION.
Mr. W. H. SMITH gave notice of his intention to call
attention to the Operation of the Poor laws in the metro-
polis, and should move for a royal commission to inquire
and report upon the subject.
RAILWAY ACCIDENTS.
Sir H. SELWYN IBBETSON gave notice that on Thursday
he should move for the report of the inspectors of the
Board of Trade on railway accidents down to the end of
the year 1870 to complete the return previously, made.