New-York tribune., 1869-06-03
FOREIGN NEWS.
GREAT BRITAIN.
ENGLAND AND HER AMERICAN COLONIES.


very interesting. Sir Harry Verney, Member for
buckingham, inquired what the policy of the Gov
ernment would be toward the American colonies
Mr Monsen, the under Secretary Of the Colonai De-
partment replied at considerable length WINE no
declined to enter on the general subject OF the Coio
NAL policv Of the Government he intmated that
part of that policy was to throw the cost OF seu-ue
tense on each colony Measures to that end hau oeeh
partially taken, and they would DO ex-
tended next year. He had no doubt that the
arrangement for the cession of the Hudson's
Bay Company's territory would receive the ratifca-
ton of the Canadian Government. The question
was not one of purchase only. but also of develop
ment colonization and civilization which had hith-
erto been virtually closed If the scheme were sue
cessful, the Dominion would be able to extend from
the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific He believed that
all the interests of British Columbia lay in connec-
ton with those of Canada, and every facility would
be given to forward them. Sir Stafford Northcote'
member for North Devon, thought that the Cana
dams were better able to decide for themselves what
action they would take in the matter than to act on
the advice of the Government; still he be-
Heyed that the question would soon be sat
isfactorily settled Viscount Bury regarded Canada
az the future highway to the Indies and the East
Much had been said and written abont the lncorpo-
ration of the British possessions with the United
States He ridiculed this idea, and said that by
such course the Colonies had everything to lose
and nothing to gain. Mr. Adderley, member from
North Stafiordshre, and formerly Under Secretary
for the Colonial Department, regarded the arrange
ments as detailed and explained by the Government,
as eminenty satisfactory On principle he generally
diSapproved of the system of Government Ruaran-
tees, yet he would vote in favor of this.
OCEAN MAIL sERYICE-TREATMENT OF IRISH
PRISONERS.
In the House of Commons last night, Mr.. Seely,
member for Lincoln made some remarks on ocean
postage He urged that in future contracts for car
ryng the mails TO the United States be made for no
longer time than three years that payments for the
service be regulated by the amount of mail carried
He advocated ocean penny postage, and hoped nego-
tiatlons would be entered into with the United
States for the establishment of that system. The
Marquis of Huntington, Postmaster-General, de-
Tended the late mail contracts made by the Govern
ment. Although he sympathized with the sent-
mens of Mr.. Seey he was opposed to his proposals,
which, if carried into effect would lead TO uncer
tainty in the service, and to disnclinaton on the
part of steamship companies to compete with each
other He thought the present contracts would be
the last which would be made with fixed subsidy,
but was altogether doubtful of the of ianY
negotiations for the establishment of penny postage
across the Atlantic At the conclusion of the Post
master Generals reply, the subject dropped |
Mr Moore moved that a Special Committee be ap- !
pointed to inquire into thetreatment of untred Irish
political prisoners Mr.. Fortescue, Chief Secretary |
for Ireland believed that the complaints made of the
III treatment of these prisoners were exaggerated |
but he thought political prisoners awaiting trial
should be held under the supervision of the Govern
ment officers, and not kept IN county jails After
marks from Messrs. Gray and Mcguire, condemnng |
the present system of holding untried prisoners in
eoufuement the House divided on the motion, and
refused to appoint the Committee, by a vote of 20
against 81.
THE TINFs on AMERICAN RELATIONS.
Tie Times, reviewing the correspondence between |
the English aud American Governments on the Ala |
bama claims, ETC., says: Although we were well |
aware of the frankness and desire for good under
standing which characterized two successive British
Governments, we knew not the lengths to which |
Cancellation wasactually carried and how completely
il was their propositions, their own acts which |
the Americans Tepudiated through their Senate. |
When compare the exacting and critical spirit Of
America with the conceding temper of England, and
come to consider that all that yielded was insult
fcient to prevent the rejection Of the treaty we
despair Of the success of any negotiations III which
England maintains due regard for her own rights |
and honor"
THE ALABAMA CLAIMs-OFFICIAL DISPATCHES. !
quantity of correspondence between the British |
and American Governments on the Alabama claims |
is published. The first dispatch is from Lord Stan
ley to Mr.. Thornton, dated Feb IS, 1868 The Minis
ter is informed that Mr. Adams the American Minis
ter at London, had communicated portions Of dis
patch from Secretary Seward, expressing the wish
for a settlement of the differences in regard to the
Alabama the San Juan, the naturalization and the |
fisheries questions Secretary Seward suggested
that the true method was to treat on these
matters jointly through a conference. as
the first step in the negotiations, and that the basis
Oh which the negotiations should proceed might be
subsequently determined Mr.. Adams also commu-
ncated to Lord Stanley dispatch from Secretary
Seward TO the erect that the subject of the rights of
naturalzed citizens abroad caused great uneasiness
in the United States This the most important
question pending and, says Mr. Seward. until it is
settled it is hopeless attempt to other diff
ferences; and concludes by saying that no delay is
compatible with the maintenance of good under
standing between the two countries. Lord Stanley
is also informed that Mr. Seward his opinion
as 10 the manner of proceeding in the Alabama case
az a decision on that point would have much intlu-
ence on the proceedings the naturalization ques-
ton. In due time procotols were signed on the
subject of the naturalization treaty, and the San
Juan controversy On October 2l, 1868, Lord Stan
lev writes that Reverdy Johnson called on him
the day before Much conversation passed
between them, in the course of which Mr.. johnson
again made proposal in behalf of Secretary Sew
ard that the claims be referred TO commission,
consisting of British and American members, IN
equal numbers with power to call in an umpire IN
case of disagreement their decision TO be final Lord
Stanley writes that at this conversation little was
said as to tho point which the former
negotiations broke of, viz: the claim