The Van Buren press., 1873-02-18
pARLIAnEzT.
What English Statesmen Think Of the
Geneva Award.

What English Statesmen Think Of tAs
Geneva Award.
A Tainted Tit Bit for the Brisssh Lion.
LoxDos, Feb. 6.
In the House Of Lords, among the dis
tinguishsd psrsonagss present ss the
openinr sessios, were the Prince OF
Wales, Duke Of Edinburgh, and Prince
Teck. When reading Of queens speech
ended, Earl Clarendon rose and moved
the address in reply. He congratulated
their lordships on the removal OF the
long standing difficulties with the United
States. In regard to the Eastern ques-
tions, he declared the government would
deal with it In a prompt, decisive. and ss
the same time digninsd manner, because
England viewed with regret the cncroaeh-
ment Of Russia. whose further movement
would tend to the diminution Of harmo-
ny which has long prevailed between
the two powers Lord Monteagls ses-
onded the motion for the address in
short speech.
Earl Derby then addressed the House.
lie deemed that the governnent csuld
congratulate itself on the issue Of the
San Juan and Alabama controversies and
maintained that there was . vast differ
encs between what was contended for in
1864 and the absolute surrender OF 1872.
The effect OF the Geneva decision would
be that England would hereafter be La
bls to damages in matter wherein she
should make no claims on others.
The Lord Chancellor deprecated the
course that the debate had been taken on
this subject especially after the verdict
had been rendered. He defeAded the
rules adopted by the Geneva board and
declared they should be maintained be.
tanned between England and the United
States whether other countries accepted
than or not.
Duke of Richmond objected not to the
spirit Of the compromise but to the fact
that it had been ene-sided. He obssrv-
cd that the speech from the throne made
no reference TO the army. This emis-
sion was especially to be regretted at
time when dessrtions from the ranks
wsrs more frequent than ever.
The motion for the address to. the
queen was adopted and their lordships
rose.
In the House Of Commons, the address
in reply to the queens speech was NOV
ed by Hon Chas. Lyttlston, who, In
speech, congratulated the House and
country on the settlement Of disputes
with the United States. Although the
decision was unfavorable to Eugland,
there was not the slightest ground Tor
impugning the judgment Of tho Geneva
arbitrators or the German emperor. No
nation should be slow to follow Englands
example.
william Stone seconded the motion.
MIR. Disrasli rose and was loudly cheer
cd He said hc had heard with alarm
many things in the royal speech. He
would not in the slightest degree criticize
the sovereign aud arbitraters who had
given awards adverse to England. He
had approved ofths negotiation at Wash
ington, but could not but condemn the
prospective rules adopted. The govern
ment pretended that they had followed
Palmorston, but that statesman would
never have placed England in such a
dangerous and undignifed position. The
Geneva Judgment showed that the gov
ernment was totally wrsng What would
be its effect on the future position OF the
country what was the scope Of the term
"due dligence' was it in accordance
with our municipal law, or as arbitrators
said, such 10 20 totally prohibit the evil
complained Of?
Diarael next turned his attention to .
paragraph IN the queens speech. concern
ing the negotiation with Russia, for the
preservation OF peace in Central Asia.
He hoped the papers on the subject,
which The government had promised to
lay before the House, would bd full and
satis sfactory Should Russia attempt to
seize Constantisopla and conqaer India.
she would and must be resisted. He
hoped diplomacy would settle the ques-
ten, but war must, If necessary.
Horseman severely criticized the gov
srnments foreign pslicy, which was in
volving the country in new and serious
complications Tho Geneva decision
was enc. sided and humiliating. He hop
ed the case was an exceptional one, aad
~ such was to DO accepted by force Of
necessity.
Gladstone followed with general dc.
fence Of the royal speech, replying to the
| G, iticisms on the manner in which dis.
putcs With Amsrics had been settled. He
declared that IL q similar case should
arise, arbitration would again be resorted
TO. Honor was not sacrificed, and the
fearful horrors of civil war had been
avoided. No alteration IN the municipal
law was required
The debate was continued by Claiborne
Hardy, Vernon Hareourt aud others.