The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-06-26

LONDON, May 80, 1896.
To the Editor Of the National Era:
The American question was briefly discussed
on Tuesday night in the House of Lords. Lord
Elgin moved for copies of any dispatches to the
Governor General of Canada, or the Lieutenant
Governors of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and
Prince Edwards Island, on the military estab-
lishments to be maintained in those Colonies
He took occasion to allude. to the difficulties
with the United States, and declared that he
moved for the papers spoken of, that every pos
sble cause for misunderstanding might be re-
moved. bespoke ofthe enlargement ofthe army
in Canada, and the Costa Rica matter He was
confident, from experience, that the most kindly
feelings existed on the part of the people of the
United States for Great Britain, and he severe
ly blamed those persons, both here and in
America, who had endeavored to excite the two
countries to war. If the people of this country
were induced to believe that war was inevi.
table, and if Congress went on to prepare for
war, it would be impossible to maintain peace
much longer. He spoke of the neutrality laws
in America, and said that it was manifestly for
should give to those laws the widest scope ;
whereas, in the enlistment question, England
had been arguing for the narrowest possible
construction. He thought it for the interests of
both countries that Central America should
remain independent. A friend had remarked
to him, that if Lord Clarendon and Mr.. Marcy
could be together for one hour, they could settle
the whole difficulty. He found fault with the
declaration of the Secretary of War, short
time since, that the troops which were sent to
Canada were simply to replace those which
had been taken away, whereas the truth was,
that the troops had been reduced in that coun-
try by a system which had been adopted after
mature thought, and at that time it was not
intended to replace the troops sent home.
The Earl of Clarendon replied to Lord Elgin,
and professed the strongest desire to avoid any
collision with the United States. 1t was for
the interest of England to preserve peace; and
not by word or deed had the English Govern.
ment given just cause for the irritation of the
American Government. The question with re-
gard to enlistment arose from proposals made
to them by persons DESTROYS of entering the
Queens service. 1t was never intended to vio-
late American laws, or infringe in the slightest
degree upon them. They were disposed to
make every honorable reparation in their pow
err. But the Government would not recall Mr..
Champion, or any of their other agents in
America. They were convinced that these
men had not violated American law, and they
would not purchase peace in any shabby and
dishonorable manner. In reference to the
Central American question, he thought the
Clayton Bulwer treaty admitted of but one in
terpretation-that it was perfectly plain and
clear-and that arbitration had been offered
America, which she had refused.
1t is my opinion that the people of England
are much better pleased with the speech of Lord
Elgin than with that of Lord Clarendon. The
Government manifests, notwithstanding all its
courteous words, a disposition to be firm and
unyielding. Now, somebody must yield some
thing, or war will follow; and some of the DO
stions which Clarendon assumes, it seems to
me, are untenable. At any rate, such is the
opinion of several English statesmen.
We hear, from Vienna, that Austria will not
wholly evacuate the PrincipaIities, and that
Strbey will remain in power. If these reports
are to be credited, then Austria is acting in
direct opposition to the wishes of the English
Government, and the understanding to which
the different Powers had come. Count Waleu-
ski has blown hot and cold so constantly of late
on the Austrian and Italian questions, that the
friends of Italy are completely discouraged.
The Austrian Government has framed a very
good reply to Russia and Prussia, who blame
her for uniting with England and France to
guaranty Turkish independence. She says
that, as both Russia and Prussia in the late war
refused to consider an aggression upon Turkish
territory casus belli, while the other Powers
did consider it to be clearly an act of that char.
acter it was proper that they should unite in
treaty guarantying the Independence of Tur-
key in the future. TO this reply, NO answer can
be given. 1t completely justifes the treaty.
Count Buol has replied to Count Cavour very
lamely on the Italian question. The Austrian
Minister claims that all the Italian troubles
arise from the revolutionary spirit which fills
that country, and that it must be crushed out.
| But what causes the rebellions conduct of the
Italians? Why do they find it utterly impos.