The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-09 00:00:00

treaty, the Powers should then fall back upon
these obligations of 1839. Briefly stated, and divested of
diplomatic and technical language, this was the whole of

the contents of the treaty. On the same day, namely,
last Saturday week—two days before the discussion which
took place in that House—the proposal was made known
by the British Government to Austria and to Russia, and

the confidence of the former was expressed that although
the extreme pressure of the time had forbidden the com-
paratively complicated intercommunications, the pro-
Posals would be approved by those Powers, and that they
would be ready to adopt a similar course. (Cheers.)
So far as he had been made aware of the view taken of
the matter by Austria and Russia that it was favourable,
but he did not say that the Government could hold them
bound at present to a particular course.. On the sth,
Count Bernstorff informed Lord Granville that Count
Bismarck had left Berlin for head-quarters, and in
consequence of his having so departed the com-
munication to Lord A. Loftus had been delayed. Subse-
quently Count Bismarck telegraphed to Count Bernstorff
stating that although he had not received any proposal
from Lord A. Loftus, he was ready to agree to any mea-
sure which would contribute to strengthen the neutrality
of Belgium. A later telegram on the same day, namely
the sth August, was received from Count Bismarck by

the Prussian Ambassador in London to the effect that he had
then received a draft of the Treaty which had been sub-
mitted to the King of Prussia, who had authorised an

agreement to it. v (Cheers.) Later still in the day a
telegram was received, stating that Count Bernstorff was
authorised to sign the Treaty. When he (the Premier),
Came into the House that day, Count Bernstorff had not
Yet received full powers in a technical sense, but be
expected to receive them in the course of the day. He
(Mr. Gladstone) thought the engagement might be con-
sidered complete on the part of Prussia. The Prime
Minister then informed the House that France had
accepted the Treaty in principle, but the Government of
that country were desirous of introducing some modifica-
tions in the Treaty. They were not, however, modifications
of the nature to interfere with the substance of the

Treaty, and the-House would perceive that as the Eng-
lish Government had made an identical proposal to the
two powers, it was impossible for them to undertake to
alter the instrument for fear of disturbing the old
arrangement. The object of the modifications
asked for was simply to prevent misunderstanding and
although they were not able to make any modification,
they were able to give certain explanations as to what
they conceived to be its simple and clear interpretation.
That interpretation was sent to Paris on Saturday
evening, but the pressure of affairs in that city
might account for the fact that an answer had
not arrived by return of post in the regular
Manner that morning ; but the Government had every
reason to believe that the explanation was likely to
remove all difficulty on the part of the French Govern-
ment. It was quite possible, therefore, that during the
evening he might be able to give further information.
Mr. DISRAELI hoped that before the House was pro-
rogued further information would be given on that
important subject, and that when they met on the
following day they might hear what progress had been
made. He had no doubt that the information that her
Majesty's Government had decided to defend the
neutrality of Belgium would give satisfaction to the
country at large. (Cheers.) He would not at that
Moment give any opinion as to the peculiar
diplomatic course which had been followed by the
right hon. gentleman. It was really too grave and
abstruse a question to be decided in that off-hand and
almost conversational manner. (Hear, hear.) He thought
that where there was a guarantee so explicit as that which
Was expressed in the policy of the treaty of
18392 the wisdom might be questioned of founding
upon that another treaty which involved us in any
engagement of a nature he did not precisely understand.
If, for instance, they joined with one of the belligerents to
indicate the neutrality of Belgium against the other who
should violate it, what limit was there to their interfe-
rence ? (Hear, hear.) It would appear to him that in that
ease they wouid have to share the fortunes of war with the
belligerent with whom they had joined. It would be in-
Possible to limit their co-operation with the belligerent
merely to the frontier of the neutralised country.
(Cheers). He, notwithstanding, rejoiced at the declara-
tion which the right hon. gentlemen had made, because it
sheaved that they were determined to maintain the inde-
pendence of Belgium. He accepted it as a wise and
spirited policy, and not the less wise because it was
spirited. (Cheers.)
Mr. GLADSTONE observed that the reason why the
Government resisted the inclination of the House as well
as their own inclination on Monday last to make any
declaration in general terms with respect to Belgium was
that they might give utterance to words which might be
held to impose obligations almost unlimited.
They were obliged to admit that the declara-
tlens which were made by the belligerent Powers
B'B to the neutrality of Belgium contained every-
thing they could reasonably expect. But they involved
one element of weakness. In the event of a violation of
Belgian territory by Prussia, France was to be released.
In the event of a violation by France, Prussia was to be
released, and it was obvious that a joint engage-
ment of that kind would remove the element of weakness
which he had mentioned.

The Militia Acts Amendment Bill passed through all
its stages, and was read a third time and passed.

THE CENSUS BILL.

Mr. BRUCE moved that the House object to the amend-
Mont made in the other House to this bill by the intro-
duction of the words " Religious profession " in the
Census returns. The House divided, when there appeared
For the proposition of the Home Secretary, 101; against
it, 40.

JUDICIAL COMMITTEE BILL.
t,,,tk division took place on the motion of Mr. Watkin
:;illiaras, that the House resolve itself into committee on
the above bill that day three months, when the rroposal
'as rejected. Great opposition was offered to the mea-
sure in committee, and the Government, seeing the
i_
e3ceeeding unpopularity of the bill, determined to abandon
t
a course which gave unmistakeable satisfaction.
The Lords' Amendments to the Clerical Disabilities
".;ull, having been considezed, the Divine Worship in
"'licensed Buildings Bill was withdrawn, and the House
atlj
curned at eight o'clock until half-past twelve on
Tuesday.

A CHALLENGE BETWEEN IRISH
JOURNALISTS.
4.,1111 awkward affair has just occurred between two gen-
neirten of the Dublin press. An article was lately published
111 the Irish Times, which in the opinion of Mr. Edmund Gray
°lle of the proprietors of the Freeman' s Journal cast ridicule
uitthe War correspondent of the latter paper. He there-
-41,7,T1 went to Major Knox, the proprietor of the Irish Times,
e demanded an explanation. A very stormy scene
flrle, during which Mr. Gray is alleged to have flaunted
L, glop_es in Major Knox's face. Finally Major Knox
irpcked down Mr. Gray, that being the only coursee
Welt to be open to a gentleman under such circumstances. '
afterwards wrote a challenge to the responsible
4Plletor of the Fre,man's Journal, Sir John Gray
lett Ivir• Gray, through whom the Major transmitted the
41_
1:r declined to have anything to do with such a conl-
b4ltY he hadl 'c or to transfer to another any of the responsi-
incurred.

•
tIiLCIIESS CONGRESS AT BADEN.—The players at
if great tournament were :—Anderssen Blackburne,
Pae„, Vere, Rosenthall, Steinitz, Minewitz, Minewar,
LlE,:),Beri, and Neuman ; and in spite of the war, the tour-
fira—tent Was brought to a successful issue on Friday. The
(646f1Priz, e 13,000 f) was won by Anderssen ; the second
ate-kr" by Bteinitz ; and for the third (400 f), Blackburne
-- Neuman were equal. •
TLC°I4IPERENCE OF CHRISTIANS OF ALL NATIONS.—
'ue London secretaries request us to state that, in conse-
(lnert epee ee of the war, the New York committee has decided
ua°,Postpone the general conference of Christians of all
01„;1,°21., , which was to have been held in that city in the
ef September. All the arrangements had been
1113416.
in P, but as so many delegates were prevented from
iiPvg Europe at *the present time, it was considered
edient to abandon the intention to hold the meetings
um Year. -
.A.fA T
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