The Sun.
London, England, 1871-02-11 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. Mr. BAILLIE COCHRANE, after the reply had been read,
resumed the debate by referring to the omission of any

HOUSE OF LORDS-FRIDAY.

Their Lordships assembled at five o'clock.
The Archcishop of YORK brought in a bill respecting
ecclesiastical dilapidations.
The Earl of CARNARVON said he should not proceed
with his motion relative to our national armaments on
Monday next.
Earl GRANVILLE, in reply to the Duke of Richmond,
said a measure was under consideration with reference to
bankrupt peers.
THE ROYAL MARRIAGE.

Earl GRANVILLE brought up a message from the Queen,
announcing the intended marriage of the Princess Louise
with the Marquis of Lorne,which was ordered to be taken
into consideration on Monday next.
Their lordships then adjourned at 6.35.

remark shadowing forth the intentions of the Govern-
ment with regard to their foreign policy. He asked Her
Majesty's Government for some explanations of the
course they intended to adopt with regard to
the peace negociations. They had shewn little
sympathy for France in her misfortunes. That
was the unanimous opinion of the country. (" Oh, no,"
from members of the Government.) It had been said by
one member of the Government that he exulted over the
calamities, because, he said, the result would be a greater
confidence in England when France, their only real
enemy, was entirely destroyed. He did not give the exact
words, but that was the purport of the speech. He did not
blame the Government for not interfering, because their
interference would have been impeded when they were
not backed by naval and military resources. They ought
not now to attach too much importance to the present
negotiations.. He urged the Government to state their
views with respect to their relations with other countries,
and the policy they intended to adopt on the pro-
bable turn of events. This was the turning
point, and before they began to discuss the ,
question of armaments they ought to state
the policy which they intended to adopt. They
must say whether in the future they intended to
maintain treaty obligations. He had no hesitation
in saying that if the Government had stuck to the Treaty
of Vienna, and rejected the Note of Russia, they would
have gained everything, and this Conference would not
have been held. Mr. Disraeli had rightly said that the
action of the Government on this point, virtually led to
giving up the whole question. What must be, he asked,
the feelings of those families who had lost their sons in the
Crimea, when the Treaty was so easily set aside„ After
that nobody would be surprised if the Government gave up
Belgium and everything else. Before they came
to armaments, they must consider whether the
" silver streak round England was sufficient," to use the
words of a famous article. If they intended to give up
treaty obligations, and shut themselves up in their own
selfishness, and did not care for what befel others, he did
not see why they should increase their armaments. If
they did not intend to take any interest in foreign,
affairs, they should have nothing to do with in-
creased armaments. But if they intended to maintain the
dignity of England in the face of Europe they would have
to return to a distinct and open policy, telling Europe what
they ntended to do, and what they were prepared to
carry out safely. Unless the Government was prepared
to maintain the position of England she would sink into
the grade of a second or third rate power.
They ought to have • some declaration of policy
with regard to treaty obligations from the Go-
vernment. He complained that Mr. Gladstone did not
speak words of sympathy for France when he had the
opportunity of doing so at the Mansion House. (Hear,
hear). He should have sympathised with the unfortunate
position of France. (Hear, hear). The speaker concluded
by asking for a frank declaration on the part of the Go-
vernment of their intentions with regard to their foreign

policy.
Mr. GILPIN could not see upon what ground the right
right hon. gentleman (Mr. Disraeli) founded his ideas as
to the opinion of the country upon the conduct of her
Majesty's Government. Had he attended any public
meetings where thousands of persons had been present,
fairly called together, where he had been able to
carry, or had attempted to carry, a resolution
in support of the opinion he had brought forward,
before the House. (Ministerial cheers.) It had beet his
(Mr. Gilpin's) lot to be present at meetings of thousands
of working men, and at least five of them had been unani-
mously in favour of her Majesty's Government, and the
policy they had pursued. And he joined issue with the
right hon. gentleman (Mr. Disraeli) in the most emphatic
way when he said that the Government, of whom he was
as independent as the right hon. gentleman, had led the
public of the country to regard with indifference and sus-
picion their conduct in the matter of the suffering on the
other side of the Channel. Why it was in order that no
Napoleon should ascend the throne of France, that we en-
gaged in the wars of 1813, 1814, and 1815, and if we were
to pass over a treaty made in 1816—a treaty which de-
dared that no Napoleon should occupy the throne of
France, and which had since been torn into
shreds, how could the right hon. gentleman ex-
press sublime surprise at the modification of a
treaty made 14 years ago ? (Cheers, and a laugh.) He
spoke of the communications he had received from St.
Petersburg, and he (Mr. Gilpin) could only suppose that
the address of the Foreign Office had been lost in that
city. (Loud laughter.) Judging from what he (Mr.
Gilpin) read of the published communications from St.
Petersburg, which were open to any member
of that House, he believed the conduct of the
Government had not merely received the sanc-
tion of the people of this country, but had
received also something approaching the sanction of al
parties concerned. If we were to trust to our " silver
line" we should not require an increase of armaments; and
he urged that Government should increase the efficiency
of our defences without adding to our expenditure. If
they did so, they would be backed up by the country, and
if not, and a meddlesome policy—which was always the
result of extensive armaments—was adopted, the nation
would be against them, The only way to have a country
well defended was to have it governed justly.
Sir H. SELWIN IBBETSON regretted that the Govern-
ment had not given more prominence of the licensing
system, as it was a question which closely affected the in-
terest and well-being of the whole country. The answer
given by the Home Secretary to a question this
evening forcibly reminded him of a reply given
last year on the same subject, but he hoped the Govern-
ment would come to a resolution by which the bill might
be at once placed upon the table.
Sir LAWRENCE PALK, while admitting that treaties
were not to be looked upon as binding for ever, condemned
the notion that they should be lightly violated. With
regard to armaments, if we were not to take any part in
foreign affairs a small army would suffice, but if we were
to maintain our honour and uphold treaties which bore
our signature, it was our duty to maintain our armament"
in a satisfactory condition.
Mr. Bauet admitted the importance of the mea'
sure for the suppression of drunkenness, and
said the Government fully intended to deal
with it, but must be allowed to do so when they thought'
an opportune moment presented itself, as mad
other matters of great importance were pressing upo
them. With regard to affairs on the Contirilmt, he er
pressed his conviction that nothing would be more Win'
rious to the position of England than to attempt °
dictate terms of peace to France and Prussia.
aid
Mr. Caoss, referring to the licensing question, s
there was a growing feeling that the Government ha
,',3
more than once changed their opinions, but after o,o'
time had been given to determine the principle, much fat
appointment would arise if the Government could 11°
announce a definite course of action.
Sir WILFRID LAWSON, while disapproving in Indintit
respects of the home policy of the Goveriunento
heartily endorsed the action they had taken in regard 0t
foreign policy. He had no objection to the G-overinne,.,
improving our defensive arrangement, but strong;
deprecated an increase of armaments. He hoped iso
Government would carry on the war against pallrertbe
vice, and immorality, and would not be led away a
arguments from the other side of the House. toes
Mr. APOULLAGII TORRENS was also opposed ill.
cesive expenditure on armaments, and to meddling.,o4y
the affairs of foreign nations, but stroet.eto
urged the Government to use every means in its peT,r_Lico
bring about an honourable peace, taking care that xiViii6
was not unduly humiliated. He advocated this not whosf
interest of France alone, but in that of Englanuieeiclea
duty it was, as it was also her interest, to take a ‘-` in
course, and one that would bear no ~t,n4000
terpretations. He complained that Mr. tx"isfor
had shewn a want of sympathy for France in her wintry'
tunes • and this feeling was growing in the _vont.
which might some day be troublesome to the GavertPronglri
After a few words from Mr. RYLAND, wh.o_ S Do-
opposed the suggustion of Mr. Torrens as likelY
to war, the subject dropped. 0111°‘•
THE DOWRY TO THE PRINCESS L thankinA
The SPEAKER read a message from the (iner,,, hetroth7,
the Commons for their congratulations 011.,.tu1e „r;
of the Princess Louise to the Marquis of Lorne' ;,rovlsl'e
pressing a hope that they would make such
~,arriag '
for the Princess, in view of the proposed
as
mw
ro.ul
erd
jubAe
Dsuitable to the eod in
001
the House resolve itself into a committee
04 gra
grnMiotYndoafyleshCfar 'truevpeurtrob9istt°o
ti
of the consideration of her Majestys In
Message.

Mr. GLADSTO
UNENnitVovEeßdSfloTrYlesTvEe StToSb.
ring
ia a
te
hill to
alter the law respecting religious tests ill gad
universities. He remarked that it would be unnece 41,
to enter into an explanation as to. the merits a th° ,milie
aTatniratecirvidne minutes pa
as it was identical with that introducedgthe
Blaurstiasesii.ost.
;oven
leave was given, and the bill read for the first time.. _ .
Among the other bills introduced were the followilt:te,;
To Legalise Marriage with a Deceased Wife's
rt the
ttpohaenaimleasewntsodrcteohlametipinaeg:stfaootrsiournaind;lway management by aye 1,..,03!
tribunal and limiting the liability of the railway.aysc;i3a
The House adjournedat;
o'clock.