The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-21
ENGLAND.

Rhe Washington "REMINISCENCES in the
House Of Lords-A Sudden Collapse
General schcnck's Letter Settles the
Question.
LONDON, June 8, 1872.
me appearance which the House of Lords pre-
vented on last Thursday night was most animated.
Every one expected continuation OF the debate
Begun on Tuesday-on the Washington Treaty, and
. division, which would probably have brought
Aefeat to the government, and, perhaps, extinction
70 the treaty. Let me first take up the debate at
The point at which 1t stopped on Tuesday night
ne great point on which the opponents
Of the government relied in Tuesday nights
debate was that the supplemental article
was vague and ambiguous; that it did not
include, beyond oil question, the indirect claims.
On the one hand, the government said, "You want
- pass resolution binding us not to 60 on with
Ahe arbitration unless the indirect claims are
withdrawn, but the supplemental article already
ases withdraw these claims. What, then, is the
use OF your resolution ~ On the other hand, the
ambiguity which, according to the opposition lords,
existed in the supplemental article rendered
necessary the precaution Of binding the govern
aaent. This is the point at which the debate OF
Tuesday left u.s. and on Thursday the same style Of
argument was doubtless about to be pursued, when
LETTER FROM GENERAL scHENCK
sell hke bombshell into the midst Of the noble
lords, and at once brought the whole controversy
% conclusion. The question ut issue was docs
the supplemental article does 1t not exclude the
indirect clamsf General Schenck's letter says
sN0," and then, of course, all further arguing OF
thc question is waste OF breath The noble lords
accordingly decided to adjourn sine dfea discussion
shat had now become useless.
i append description Of the scene and report
Of the proceedings from the Times:-
II Al
The scene IN the House, from the moment when
Sheir lerdships assembled till even after the adj
SOurnment was one OF the most interesting and eX-
ctting that has been witnessed for long time.
There was large attendance Of peers when Lord
ton; and among the Privy Councillors who crowded
the space around the throne was Sir Stafford him.
Lord Granville rose with beam of satisfaction on
his face but not till he had made his few predatory
observations, and had announced the receipt Of
General schenck's letter. did he display. the docu-
ment itself. As, in measured tones, he read the
letter, every member of the House and
ct the bar strained forward to follow him
In every sentence. When he had concluded q
general cheer was raised, ana then from all sides
there was the half audible inquiry, "Wheres Rus
sellf, Lord Grey was proceeding to comment on
the difficulty to which Lord RusselI's absence gave
In HIS which evidently broke the thread Of his
commentary and which was generally understood
20 DC an intimatoh that Loru was WITHIN tne
10 the bar, which at that moment Lord
HOughton was approaching, and several Peers
exclaimed, "Here lie is.n Lord Grey paused, but
when the mistake was discovered he resumed,
and briefly recommend an adjournment.
Lord Salisbury then rose, and, at the same instant,
Lord Russell entered, and was met by Lord Gran.
Vile, who handed him General Schencks letter.
While Lord Russell was perusing 1t, Lord Cairns
crossed the House and Joined him. Both went
through the letter together. the House meanwhile
waiting to learn what course Lord Russell would
adopt. The conclusion appeared to be satisfactory
% everybody, and for some minutes after the House
stood adjourned their lordshps converscd in little
groups both within the House itself and about the
whiting room at the back Of the throne.