The Sun.
London, England, 1870-08-03 00:00:00

1 870.

HOUSE OF LORDS.-TUESDAY.

The Lord Chan&lief tgolt his .Pat on the woolsack at
five 'o'clock. •

• .
FOREIGN AFFAIRS-NEUTRALITY OF
BELGIUM: •

Earl Russell on moving the second reading of the Mili-
tia Act Amendment Bill took the opportunity of calling
the attention of their lordships to the present state of
foreign affairs 3 which he said were in such an excited and
unsettled state that it *os highly desirable before Parlia-
ment separated to aria the Clovetnineitt with power to
act on any eiritrgenby. The noble earl pointed out the
character of the treaties under' which England was bound
with respect to Belgium, and expressed a fear that
the course of events might oblige us to force the guarantee of
neutrality. Under these circumstances it was desirable to
oonsider in what position this country was,more particularly
after the recent revelations that had taken place with
respect to the projectedtreaty and the published conversa-
tions of the French Emperor with an Englishman. An
attack upon so beautiful a country as Belgium, he believed
would be one of the most wanton outrages of modern times,
and it was idle to close our eyes to our danger. There was
but one course open to this country, and that was to abide
by its treaties and protect Belgium at avy cost. He
believed that all the intrigues and all these real dangers
arose from the doubt which tkisted on the Con-
tinent as to the course of England, but if we
declared that We intended to enforce our treaties more
than half the danger would have passed away, for neither
France nor Prussia would desire to outer into hostilities
with England. He theft proceeded to point out the im-
possibility of permitting Antwerp to France, and he
called on the Government to declare explicitly and holdly
their views on the matter. It was their duty to do so,
although he firmly believed nothing would be done to
sully the fame of this great country.
Earl GRANVILLE hoped the noble earl would not press
the second reading of the bill, but would leave the matter
in the hands of the Government. He must decline to
follow the noble earl through the many important topics
he introduced into his speech, which he must say he
regretted, as it showed a want of confidence in the Govern-
ment, which was greatly to be regretted, coming as it did
from one of such authority as the noble earl. Hardly a
week ago he had made a statement of the policy of the
Government, a policy he thought was received with some
favour, and he was not aware that anything had occurred
either to require any alteration of that policy or any fur-
ther explanation from him. The House of Commons had
asked for copies of the treaties affecting Belgium, and he
had laid them on that table, and he might here observe
that her Majesty's Government was not unaware of its duty
and obligations with respect to the independence of Belgium.
Owing to the importance of the subject it was not for
Ministers to make superfluous statements, knowing the
degree of importance that it was attached to every word
uttered—(hear, hear)—it would no doubt be his duty to
make certain communications and explanations, but these
declarations would only be made at the proper time. It
was not the practice for ordinary persons to discuss their
private affairs openly to the world, and that being so it
was certainly as important that at the present crisis
Government should observe that rule. If they
pursued calmly, but firmly, the course which the
interests, the obligations, and the honour of England de-
manded from them, he felt that they would receive the
frill support of the Parliament and the country. He did,
therefore, ask their lordships to give the Government some
little discretion as to the time, manner, and mode of
making their statements. (Hear, hear.) Last week they
had made a statement of what the Government of Eng-
land thought right, and that had been communicated to
the great Powers, and before Parliament separated it would
be informed of the steps the Government had taken
in the full reliance that having once declared the duties
and obligations of England no consideration would ever
induce them to vary or depart from them.

After a few remarks from Lord Stratford de Redcliffe
and Lord Cairns, the noble Earl withdrew the bill of
which he had moved the second reading.
ELEMENTARY EDUCATION BILL.

This bill was read a third time and passed after a few
verbal amendments had been made by Earl de Grey.

THE CENSUS BILL.

Their lordships then went into committee on this bill,
when the Earl of Harrowby moved to insert the words
" Religious profession" amongst the columns to be filled
up. The amendment was objected to by the Govern-
ment, but on a division it was carried, the numbers being
for the amendment 43, against it 39.

Several other bills were forwarded a stage, and their
lordships adjourned at 20 past 7.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.-TUESDAY.
INCREASE OF HER MAJESTY'S
FORCES.

In committee of supply, a vote for 20,000 additional
men for her Majesty's service was proposed.
Sir WILFRID LAwsort objected to the vote, and re-
marked that he quite agreed with the assertion
of the member for Waterford on the previous
night, that war when not a necessity was a crime.
No war in his opinion could be justified which was not
strictly defensive. The House bad been informed that
the naval and military resources were amply sufficient
for the defence of the country, and therefore, he
said, what necessity was there for another vote ?
Sir John Pakington condemned the reduction which had
been made in the effective strength of the army, and he
asked, when speaking of the reserve forces, whether the
Government intended to take steps for the embodiment
of the militia before the separation of Parliament. The
right hon. baronet alluded to the subject of breech-
loading rifles, and was informed by Mr. Cardwell that
the number of breech-loading weapons now in store, was
300,000.

Mr. CARDWELL defended his policy at considerable
length, and ultimately a division was taken. The vote
was agreed to by 161 against 5 votes.

Progress was shortly reported, and the sitting was
suspended at seven o'clock.

THE EVENING SITTING.

The House re-assembled at nine o'clock, and imme-
diately went into committee of supply.—Mr. Anderson,
the member for Glasgow, drew attention to the plurality
of offices held by the Field Marshal the Commander-in-
Chief and the military and private secretaries. The hon.
gentleman strongly denounced the system, and he moved
the reduction of the salary of the Commander-in-Chief to
the extent of £1,768. The proposal, however, was not
agreed to.
The House did not resume until twenty minutes past
one. The Speaker in consequence of indisposition was
unable to take the chair.

On the order for the second reading of the Inclosure
Bill Mr. Fawcett divided the House on the question that
the debate be adjourned on the ground that it was too im-
portant a measure to be discussed at nearly two o'clock in
the morning. The hon. member's motion was rejectedby
considerable majority.—Mr. Taylor thereupon moved the
adjournment of the House, and Mr. Newdegate seconded
the proposition.--Mr. Knatchbull-Hugessen assured the
hon. member for Bridgewater that any inclosures Which
were seriously objected to would not be urged by the
Government. Ultimately the motion was withdrawn, on
the understanding that the debate should be postponed
until Thunsday.
On the order for the third reading of the Gkbe Loan
(Ireland) Bill, Mr. Newdegate moved the adjournment of
the debate: On a division the motion was lost. After a
short desultory conversation a division was taken on the
main question, and the result was—for the third reading,
48; against, 26. The bill passed. The House adjourned
at five minutes to three o'clock.

CRYSTAL PA L A CE.—One shilling day, Tuesday,
August 2, 1870.—Admissions by season tickets, 2,036 ;
ditto on payment, 3,092 ; total visitors, 5,128.

A labourer, named James M'lntyre, who came out
of gaol on Monday morning, at Cambridge, was seen at
night crawling on the railway near Chesterton junction. He
placed . his head on the rails, and a passing train
severed it from his body. No reason can be assigned for
the act.

GALLANT RESCUE FROM DROWNING BY A
LADY. —On Wednesday a number of ladies were bathing
at Wbitepoint, near Queenstown, and amongst them was
Mrs. Jack, wife of the surgeon on board her Majesty's
ship Mersey. Mrs. Jack was dipping in the usual way
customary to ladies, but she happened to get out of her
depth. There was a strong tide running down at the
time, and, finding herself carried away, she screamed and
shouted for help. Perceiving her great danger, Miss
Cummins, of Ringmeen, who was standing on thebeach,
rushed into the water and swam to the help of Mrs.
Jack, who was naturally much frightened and exhausted.
Indeed, she was so exhausted that Miss Cummins had her
entire weight to pull through the water, but she ulti-
mately succeeded in getting the lady into shallow water
after a very clever rescue.