New-York tribune., 1868-03-21
GREAT BRITAIN.

Yesterdays PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.
LONDON, March 20-10 p. m-ln the House OF Com
mons to-day Mr. Gladstone announced that on Mon
day next he would offer motion that the House go
into Committee on the State of the Irish Church
Establishment and said, when 1t was agreeable to
the House and the Ministry he would press the con-
sideraton of the question. In the course OF the
evening Mr.. William +. Forster. member for Brad
ford alluded to the state of the laws in regard to the
allegiance of the British subject saying this matter
especially demanded attention in the bearing it had
upon the relations of this country with the United
States He thought the time now ripe fol- arrlv-
ing at a definite understanding He explained
the law on the right of expatriatiOn, and
showed that at the present time two millions of the
Queens subjects living in the United States as
American citizens, in practical violation of these
laws. II was the difference which arose between
England and America in regard to the rights OF
adopted citizens which caused the war of 1872 and
now the difference, which stIl existed was counted
on by the Fenians likely again to embroil the two
nations and thus further their reasonable designs
In conclusion he urged that Great Britain abandon
her claim of life allegiance in the case OF emgrants
TO foreign countries and advised the appointment OF
amxed commission to settle the question forever,
Sir Robert Collier followed with speech, IN which
he supported the views of Mr.. Forster.
Lord Stanley then addressed the House, and
speaking of the principles upon which the
laws were founded, admitted that the dogma of
natural allegiance now obsolete. He in
formed the House that Her Maesty's Government
had already made advances for the settlement of the
ouestions at issue and declared they willing to
meet the Government of the United States half
way There were many difficulties IN the
way of an adjustment, but he was hap
DIV TO say they were not regarded as
insuperable. He stated that the Foreign Office was
now in communication with Mr.. Seward on the sub
ject and concluded by expressing his approval of the
proposition of the member from Bradford INIT tors-
teri for a mixed commission.
Mr. William T.. Baxter, member for Montrose,
called attention to the Transatlantic Mail service,
and moved the adoption of the following resolution:
THAT in the opinion of the House the present system
of contracts in which fixed price is stipulated for
carrying the American mail is wrong; that the pay
should depend upon the effectiveness of the service,
the performance of which should be open to all
steamship lines"
Mr. Baxter said in support of the resolution, that
the Cunard Steamship Company received subsidies
20 the amount of millions of pounds, while other
companies. which efficient, received nothing.
He admitted that the mail service was well per-
formed by the CunaTd line, but thought it was done
at too great cost.
Mr. Sclater Booth, Secretary of the Treasury,
promised that the experiment of open competition
would be tried and he hoped the member from Mon
trose would Withdraw his motion until the trial was
made The motion was then withdrawn.
Sir Roundell Palmer said, he hoped the expatriated
subjects of Great Britain would not be suffered to
make war on their parent country.
THE ALABAMA IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS
DIsRAELI AND RUssELL-BRIBERY-HANG
ING-MR. ADAMS DECLINES DINNER
COURT ETIQUETTE.
YIer Oar Own Correspondent -
LONDON, March Z, 1868
new era in the Alabama controversy was begun
last night by the debate in the House of Commons.
The speeches as you will read them in the reports,
can scarcely give you strong impression the
actual hearing of the speeches made upon me.
believe have cherished as much resentment against
England as most people, but have nothing 10
say against the general tone and temper of
the speeches last night They abounded
with good feeling toward America. The
.entment of the House was plainly in favor of com
pIete reparation for the Alabama wrongs Mr. Shaw
fefeyre opened the discussion with a strong. clear
statement of the main points OF the dispute, winch
received the most attentive hearing IRON lull
benches. 1t is TO Mr. Lefeyre that we are indeDtea
for tie motion which gave rise to the debate. III
ecemet TO him and to a number OF other eminent
Liberal friends of America, that the time had come
when discussion in the House would develop
such a feeling ia favor OF settling the
Alabama clain promptly and honorabiy as Ministers
wanted To- JIIAe event proved that they were right
As for Lord Stanley, it s not TO nm that pressure
needed 10 be app,ied. His speech proved what has
been proved before that within certain limits ne IS
most desirous TO bring the Degouatoh 10 eoncIu t
sion, and by no means disposed 10 mast on technl