The Sun.
London, England, 1866-05-09 00:00:00

PETITIONS.

The Bishop of OXFORD presented petitions from
Exeter, praying for the house to take into consideration a
bill for settling the question of a final court of appeal in
reference to ecclesiastical questions. He presented peti-
tions also from Ashbourn, in Hereford, against the aboli-
tion of church rates and the alteration of the law in re-
spect to marriage with a deceased wife's sister.
THE NESTORIANS IN PERSIA.

LordSTRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE asked his noble
friend (the Earl of Clarendon) for some information re-
specting the sect of Nestorians in Persia. That sect had
for a long period been subjected to persecution from the
professors of religion in Persia and from the Roman
Catholic body in that country. The Nestoriaus were
very closely united to the Established Church, and their
history was very interesting. He understood that the
King of Persia had not only given The sect in question a
site for the erection of a church, but had contributed £lOO
towards that object. Ile wished to know whether the
his
Government had received any information similar to
and whether they would act so as to show their ap-
preciation of the encouragement that had been shown by
the Fang of Persia to the sect in question.
The Earl of CLARENDON said that the information of
the noble lord was correct, and that the attention of her
Majesty's representative in Persia had been directed to the
subject, which he brought under the consideration of the
Persian Government. Her Majesty fully appreciated the
act of the King of Persia, and that approval had been sig-
nalised to his Majesty.
After a few words from Lord SHAFTESBITRY,
The Bishop of OXFORD said that there were different
doctrinal points between the Nestorian sect, and their
cbief similarity was protesting against the power claimed
by the Church of Rome.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The following bills were read a second time :—Congleton
Gas and Improvement, Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
(West Ridh2g Branches, &c.), Metropolitan District Rail-
way, and Lapcashire and Yorkshire Railway (Blackburn
and Padiham).
New
The Waterford, Ross, and Wexford Junction Rail-
way,
and Magdalen jlospital Bills were read a third time
and passed.
The standing orders were dispensed with in reference
to Taylor's Estate Bill, which went through its different
stages.
LEGITIMACY DECLARATION BILL.

This bill was read a second time.
DOCEYARD EXTENSION ACT AMENDMENT
BILL.
On the motion of the Duke of SOMERSET,
The house went into committee on this bill, and the
different clauses were agreed to.

CONTAGION DISEASES BILL.
This bill went through committee.
DRAINAGE LAND IMPROVEMENT BILL.

This bill was read a third time and passed.
The Labouring Classes Dwellings Bill was read a second
time.

AUSTRIA, PRUSSIA, AND ITALY.
The Earl of CADOGAN asked whether her Majesty's
Government had made any offers of mediation, either alone
or in concert with the Emperor of the French and the
Emperor of Russia, to the Courts of Austria, Prussia,
and Italy, with a view of assisting the Governments of
those countries in arriving at a pacific settlement of the
questions between them. He said that, notwithstanding
the answer which had been given to a similar question, he
thought it would be desirable if a statement, were
made by the head of the Government in that
house on a matter of such grave importance. He thought
his noble friend (Earl Clarendon) had too keen a sense of
the imminence of the danger which threatened Euiope by
the present aspect of affairs on the Continent, not to have
felt a desire to bring the moral influence of this country in
the councils of Europe to bear on the subject, with a view
to avert the evils of war.

The Earl of CLARENDON having thanked the noble
lord for the tribute paid to him jiersonally,said as far as the
action of Government was concerned, there was no inten-
tion to depart from the principle of non-intervention in
the event of war being declared. There was no intention
on the part of Government to refuse any information that
might be required, but he could only give the same
answer that had been given in the other house last
night. He regretted to say that the aspect of
affairs was very threatening, and the circumstance
of 1,000,000 men being armed and assembled on the fron-
tiers face to face was one of those facts which give rise to i
serious fears that Europe would be condemned to witness
the calamity of a war without the ground of a just cams 1
belli. (Hear, hear.)
Lord STRATFORD DE REDCLIFFE observed that it I
was obvious that in spite of the influence of public opinion
in Europe, those at the head of great armies were disposed
to carry out on the one side their ambitious projects, and
on the other they were resolved to act on their apprehen-
sions. The consequence was that Europe would be in-
volved in a war of a magnitude not witnessed in the pre-
sent century nor in the past, and that this country, with
all its love of peace, would bo fortunate if it were not drawn
into that war. He regretted that England had not now
the power which it once had of exercising her influence to
control a policy which would turn out, if persevered in,
most pernicious to the interest of Europe. He did not be-
lieve that Austria could be an aggressive power. (Hear,
hear.) Her doubtful position in Italy and in Germany
made it perfectly impossible that she should be willing to
bring on a war. (Hear, hear.) And it was lamentable to
the last degree that the peace of the whole world was to be
compromised in order to effect the ambitious and aggres-
sive schemes of any Power. (Hear, hear.)
Earl GREY—I must say that I do not look upon this
quarrel with the same surprise as the noble viscount. It
seems to me that what is now taking place in Europe is
the natural consequence of that conduct which we thought
it right to pursue some two years ago. (" Hear, hear,"
from Lord Derby.) Your lordships will remember that it
was then laid down, ostentatiously I may say, as the rule of
conduct of this country, that we were never to interferein
the quarrels of foreign States except our interests were di-
rectly and immediately threatened. (Hear, hear.) The rule
with reference to intervention, which had been undorstood
in a very different sense by our great statesmen, had been
abused to some extent. In former times, when the principle
of non-intervention was invoked, what was meant was, that
no State had a right to interfere with the internal affairs of
another. It was considered a scandal and abuse if one nation
prevented another from settling the general government in
the manner it thought best for its own welfare and pros-
perity; but no man ever dreamed that the principle of non-
intervention applied to the case of the disputes which arose
between civilised nations. It was never supposed that a
great country like this had no duty to perform inendeavour-
ing te.prevent the oppression of a weak State by a strong
one—(hear, hear)—not only to secure peace, but in the in-
terest of justice throughout the world. (Hear, hear.) My
lords, this is a new doctrine for the first time put forward,
and for the first time acted upon in a manner which has
left a stain upon the fair fame of this country. Some two
years ago
we
owe enot only acted upon this principle, but in this
if not by deluded unfortunate Denmark by implications,
promises, of our support. We brought her into a
false position, in which we
this principle
her. (Hear, hear.)
I always foresaw that if th ple was to be laid down
and acted upon, and we weretrionproceed upon the purely
selfish principle of thinking only of our own interests, that
and unscrupu-
lous would very soon happen that
me strong
Power would avail itself of this new
principle to be
guilty of acts of spoliation and violence; that the peace of
Europe would be endangered, and that Sooner or I
should see these principles of wrong and violence Wrierh we
we
have encouraged by our sufference rise to such a height and
be applied in such a manner as to fill the world with blood
and with misery. (Hear.) I ventured to express at that time
my conviction that this would be the effect of the policy
then pursued. We encouraged by our sufferance scandals,
wrongs, and robbery, which we stated in our official papers
to be scandals, wrongs, and robbery, when I am persuaded
that a single word properly said at the right time, and with
proper firmness, would have stopped the whole mischief
without any real danger. (Hear, hear.) We were told it
was a great triumph by the Administration of that day—
that they-had kept us out of war. (Hear, hear.) I beg to
sir."th-Y ought not to boast until they have seen the end of
uracln look
jet; now at the threatening state of affairs in
E`
Pe, will 3' an
in more dam__ man tell me that we are not at this moment
than we should of
being
drawn into a European contest
bolder position been if we had taken at that time a
T
hold her Majesty's
if they are we e consequences may be awful, but
all
sponsible for them. (gear, hear.) Government re-
Earl RUSSELL-4i
the remarks of my node rds, I must say a few words after
—I do not know that friend.anyon I never heard it laid down
abroad
laid it down—that this
country should not interfere°
interests were directly or immediately
except where its own
1.5' concerned. What 1
said on a former occasion was, that if neither your honour
:last consider with
nor your interests were concerned°
long deliberation before you enter into
If you enter into a war merely for the sake (Ilea; hear.)
balance of power in Europe, without your honour athe general
interests being involved, you ought to see whethee Or
Your
not incur far more danger than you can. possiblr,,Y°u may(Hear, hear.) My noble friend said that this was " remedy,.
no ques-
tion of Denmark being at war, of Germany being at War
but here was an opportunity of going to war, and we ought
to have availed ourselves of it. I differ entirely from
the policy of my noble friend, and I really cannot
accept his representation of the conduct of her Majesty',
Government. (Hear, hear.)
The Earl of DERBY—It is not possible to more com-
pletely misrepresent my noble friend the noble earl upon
the cross benches (Earl Grey) than has been done by the
noble earl at the head of the Government, when he said
that the noble earl had laid it down that it was no question
for us as to whether Denmark orGerraany was in the wrong,
but that he desired the opportunity of dragging this coun-
try into a war. Nothing could be more different from.the
language of the noble earl. His language was this, and I
entirely concur with him, that you had laid it down that

' the action of the German Powersin the affairs of Denmark
was a wrong and a robbery—that there was no question as
to which was in the wrong and which was in the right'; and
the question was whether you, after having gone to such
an extent—after Prussia told you in answer to one of your
braggadocio despatches,
de-
claration of war—after point of fact, a
that
tit
time,w was, in
Denmark called for
hyou were
rial support—the question was w ether
your assistance, and depended upon your moral, if not upon
your mate
justified in taking the opportunity of withdrawing from the
contest and abandoning an ally whom your encouragement
had led to hope and expect you would defend and maintain.
(Hear, hear.)
Earl RTJSSELL—I beg to state more distinctly, and in
explanation of the course which her Majesty's Government
took at that time, we maintain, with regard to the engage-
ments which Denmark had taken with Austria and Prussia,
that Denmark had given cause of offence to Austria and
Prussia, and we advised Denmark to set herself right with
those Powers. She was inclined to do that at first; but
she afterwards determined to resist, and she refused the
advice which her Majesty's Government gave her. We
afterwards urged that course upon Denmark, and Lord
Wodehouse went to Copenhagen with a view of endeavour-
ing to persuade the Danish Government to adopt that
course, and we asked the German powers to give Denmark
an opportunity of setting the matter right by negotiation,
and we stated that they had no right to go to war until after
negotiations had failed. At the last moment Denmark was
prepared to do full justice to the demands of Germany, and
we said that Germany being satisfied, the consequences of
any war must fall upon themselves. But the German
Powers had a good right to complain that Denmark had
made engagements with Austria and Prussia which she had
not fulfilled.

The Earl of HARD WICKE—I should like to ask a ques-
tion of the noble earl the Secretary for Foreign Affairs. I see
by the report of what occurred in another place last night,
that a distinguished member of her Majesty's Government
stated that "it would be unadvisable for her Majesty's
Government to enter alone into any communication with
a view of offering their good offices to the Powers now
upon the verge of war." It struck me as being a very
remarkable thing that this country should be unable to do
ar
anything alone—that it has not of itself power and weight
enough to apps
before Europe as an arbiter, well-wisher,
or adviser, but that it must, forsooth, go to some powerful
neighbour, and say, " Will you act with us, because we are
so feeble that we can do nothing alone ?" I should like to
know whether that is really the condition in which we are
placed ? (Hear.)
The Earl of CLARENDON—I can tell my noble friend
that is not the state of things in which we are placed. I do
not know what report my noble friend has read, but it is
certainly not a correct report. lam not aware that we are
not in a position to make our voice heard in any part of
Europe, or any part of the world. I suppose it is necessary
between Governments, as between individuals, to see first
whether advice will be accepted, and not to give it if you
see that you are more likely to do mischief than good. We
did take means to ascertain whether our good offices would
be accepted, and the answer we got was not encouraging.
We addressed ourselves to other Powers holding the same
view as ourselves; but we found them in the same position
as ourselves, and we could not do any more.

The subject then dropped, and their Lordships adjourned.

HOUSE OF COMMONS-LAST EVENING.
The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock.
PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The following bills were read a third time and passed:—
Great Northern Railway (Additional Powers); Lynn and
Sutton Bridge Railway (Works at King's Lynn) ; Lynn
and Sutton Bridge, Spalding and Bourn, and Norwich and
Spalding Railway Companies ; and Spalding and Bourn
Railway.
IMPERIAL GAS COMPANY'S BILL.

- - - ---
Mr. STANILAND moved the second reading of this
•
bill.

Mr. TITE moved as an amendment that the bill be read
a second time that day six months. It was proposed to
erect a gigantic gas-works in the neighbourhood of Vic-
toria-park ; and after the great exertions there had been
used to procure the formation of the park, it was a great
hardship on the great number of inhabitants to sanction
the erection of a great gas manufacturing business in such
a locality.

Mr. CO WPER said he had thought that it might be pos-
sible to erect the works under certain arrangements. How-
ever he found that the works were proposed on such a
large scale that nothing bat the rejection of the bill would
meet the evil.

3fr.S TANILANDS said if the house would agree to the
second reading of the bill, he would pledge himself on the
part of the company to withdraw all the clauses empower-
ing the company to purchase land in the neighbourhood of
Victoria Park. Tho bill would then be strictly limited to
the raising of additional capital.
Alderman LAWRENCE hoped the house would protect
the health and rights of the great number of poor people
who frequented Victoria Park, and not allow them to be
subjected to the nuisance of having a gas works within
300 yards of thole park. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. DODSON should like to know if the works pro-
posed by the bill were abandoned, for what was the addi-
tional capital required. He hoped the hon. member would
not put the house to the trouble of dividing on the
measure.

After a few words from Ur. STANILINDS, the bill was
withdrawn.

NEW MEMBER.
Sir J. HAY took the oath and his seat for Stamford.
ADJUTANTS IN MILITIA REGIMENTS.

In reply to Mr. F. SURTEES,

The Marquis of HARTINGTON said it was not the
intention of the War Department to alter the existing re-
gulations in order to give pensions to adjutants and quar-
termasters in the militia.

MEDICAL OFFICERS IN THE ARMY AND NAVY.

Col. NORTH asked the Secretary of State for War
whether it was the intention of her Majesty's Government
to carry out the recommendations, as regards increased
pay, Sec., of the committee which was appointed to inquire
into and report upon the grievances of medical officers of
the army and navy ; and if there was any objection to lay
the report upon the table of the house ?
The Marquis of lIARTINGTON said the whole matter
was under the serious consideration of the Admiralty, the
War Department, and the Treasury. As soon as any
definite conclusion had been arrived at he would com-
municate with the hon. and gallant gentleman. He did
not think it would be desirable to produce the report re-
ferred to.