Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-05-18

The debate in the House of Commons, on
Mr.. Gladstone's resolutions, declaring that
Turkey has no claim to moral or material
support from England, was important and
interesting. The Marquis Of Harrington,
the leader of the Liberals, condemned Earl
Derby's answer to Prince Gortschakof. lie
said tina: before Russia modified her army,
union of Europe, to exercise pressure,
and, if necessary, a forcible one, upon the
Porte, might have been eficacious; but
since the commencement of the war such a
combination was impossible. Germany
was looking out for possible hostile COM
bination France was rejecting on posi-
BILE renewal of invasion; England was
looking to the Suez Canal and India. II
the government pursued policy of strict
neutrality the country would support them,
but England had always been drawn into
any war between Turkey and Russia, and
sooner or later We would have to interfere
in the present struggle. He was as anxious
to defend British interests as any one. If
Russia triumphed in the war, the expecta-
tons of the races subject to Turkey would
be realized, and it would be found that
their subsection would not be Indispensable
to British interests. Those interests were
not, as the House was asked to believe,
bound up with the lifeless trunk of the
Turkish Empire.
Sir Stafford Northcote, Chancellor of the
Exchequer, said the Governm ent's efforts to
obtain a settlement by peaceful means failed
principally through the obstinacy of Turkey
and also through the deplorable impotence
of Russia, which he, however, attributed to
popular pressure. lie saw no reason why
we should fight for freedom of navigation in
Eastern and Southeastern Europe. These
were interests in which other nations had a
closer interest than ourselves, and doubtless
when the moment arrived those nations
would protect them. We had special in
terest in the Suez Canal; it was important
it should be kept open and safe. There
were other ways to India but the main
route of the canal, and Egypt itself, the
Government desired above all to preserve.
(Cheers.) They desired to maintain strict
neutrality, to watch over the interests of
England, and at the same time not to be
over hasty Lord Derby's reply to Prince
Gortschakoff contained nothing which was
not perfectly respectful. The right honor
able gentleman concluded his speech as fol-
lows: The Government are now enabled
to keep their hands free to act as may ap-
pear best. The real interests of England are
the maintenance Of peace and prosperity
the world In whatever posi-
ton they may find themselves, and whatever
may be the obligations and circumstances in
which they are placed, the Government will
pursue the policy which they believe good
for England and the world, without fear and
without reproach."
Mr.. Gladstone said the issue upon which
the House was asked to vote was contingent
upon coercion by all the powers of Europe,
which did not necessarily mean war against
Turkey, and which on former occasions had
attained great results. The war might even
now be ended within fortnight if England
would consent to restore the European con-
cert. lie declared that it would be dis |
grace to England if the liberty of the Chris
.ians were secured by an agreement between
Turkey and Russia alone.
The debate ended in the success of the |
the House rejecting Mr.. Glad
,tone's resolutions by 35I to 223, and adopt
ng, instead, Sir Henry VOLTS iamend-
nent, disclaiming any desire to hamper the
This result is said to have |
,een largely due to the assurances that the
Government would limit itself to protecting
he Suez Canal, guarding Egypt, and de-
ending the freedom of the Bosphorus. 1t
to declaration that the majority |
# the House of Commons will back the |
in any step it may take for
he assertion and maintenance Of the rights,
he honur and the interests Of England.
They do not desire to go to war with Russia
or the sake of Turkey, any more than to go
o war with Turkey for the sake of the Bull
,arian Christians but they are ready to fol-
ow Lord Beaconsfeld's lead in the direction
f England's traditional policy.
Ii there was any good cause for the late
emoval of Miss Meade, a sister of the late