The Portland daily press., 1877-05-15
ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS.

ATTITUDE OF THE POWERS.
Austria Not to Oppose Roumania's Inde-
pendence.
LONDON, May IA The Vienna Memorial Di.
plomatique says that the rumor that England
and Austria We're to protest against any at
tempt on the part of Roumania to declare her
independence, is unfounded-at any rate as re-
land.
Anti Russian Demonstration.
An attempt was made yesterday to get up an
ant-Russian demonstration Hyde Park. The
crowd only numbered about 5000. The speak
ers included no one of any note.
Proceedings in the British Parliament.
In the House of Commons this afternoon
Mr.. Bourke. under secretary of the foreign de-
partment, in reply to a question by Vernon
Harcourt, said that Immediately after the out
break of the war the government learned that
an iron-clad built for Turkey was lying at Vic
toria docks and took steps to prevent the in
fringement of the foreign enlistment act
chequer, said Egypt forming part of Turkey is
certainly at war with Russia. Russia there
fore has right to blockade Egyptian ports and
invade Egyptian territory and goods going to
Egypt may be considered contraband.
Gladstone's resolutions were rejected 354 to
223 and the amendment offered by Sir Henry
Wolff to the effect that the House declines to
entertain any resolution which may embarrass
the government in its maintenance of peace
and protection of British interests without
indicating any alternative line of policy was
adopted without division.
Speeches during the debate were principally
of merely retrospective interest. The Marquis
of Harrington, the liberal leader. said the Blue
Books showed it was Russia's sincere desire to
maintain peace If possible. He condemned
Derby's answer to Prince Gortschakoff.
Before Russia modified ther army, the policy
recommended by Gladstones withdrawn
resolutions, namely the union of Europe to
exercise pressure and if necessary a forcible
result upon the Porte, might have been
efficacious, but since the commencement of
war such a combination was impossible.
Germany was looking out for possible hostile
combination. France was rejecting on a
possible renewal of invation, England was
looking to the Suez canal and India If the
government pursued policy of strict neutrality
the country would support them. But
England had always been drawn into
every war between Turkey and Russia.
Sooner or later we would have to interfere in
the present struggle. When the time came
Gladstone's first two resolutions would form a
guide to the policy to be pursued. He Hart
IngtoD) was as anxious to defend British inter-
ests as any one. If Russia triumphed in the
war the expectations of the races subject to
Turkey would be realized and it would be found
that their subsection would not be indspen-
sible to British interests. Those interests were
not, as the House was asked to believe, bound
up with the lfeless trunk OF the Turkish en-
pire.
Sir Stafford Northcote, chancellor of the
exchequer, repeated the usual arguments
against a coercive policy. The governments
efforts to obtain settlement by peaceful
means failed principally through the obstinacy
OF Turkey and also through the deplorable
Importance of Russia, which he, however, at
trl6uted to popular pressure.
Relative to British interests Sir Stafford
Northcote said, that as far as the interests
which we have in common with others are
concerned, he saw no reason why we should
night for them alone. 1t was to the interest of
all that there should be freedom of navigation
In Eastern and Southeastern Europe. There
were interests in which other nations had
closer interest than ourselves, and doubtless
when the moment arrived these nations would
protect them. We had a special interest in the
ouel canal. 1t was important it should be
kept open and safe. There were other ways to
India not so direct to which the government
attached great importance but the main route
IF the canal and Egypt itself the government
desired above all to preserve. (Cheers.) They |
desired to maintain strict neutrality, to watch |
)ver the interests of England, and at the same |
lime not to be overhasty. Lord Derby's reply |
o Prince Gortschakoff confined nothing |
which was not perfectly respectful.
The right honorable gentleman concluded |
lis speech as follows: The government are |
low enabled to keep their hands free to act as
nay appear best. The real interests of Eng |
and are the maintenance of peace and pros |
erity throughout the world. In whatever po-