The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-01-30
THE EAsrERN QUESTION.
EARL OF BEAcoNFIELD's REPLY TO LORD
CARNoVAN.


EARL OF BEAcoNFIELD's REPLY TO LORD
CARNoVAN.
LONDON, Jan. 26.-Answering a pro-
longed explanation from CarnoVan, who
had resigned, the Earl of Beaconfield said.
that after listening to Lord Carnovah's
speech one was at a loss to understand why
he resigned. He reminded his hearers that
the Government WI en- laying down British
interests, had declared that the occupation
of COnstantinople would not be regarded
with indifference, and that England de-
sired the maintenance of the existing
treaty regulations as to the straits. In or
dering the fleet to Dardanelles in certain
contingencies the Government desired SIM
ply TO guard these interests unless they
acted up to il, then dispatch defining Eng
lands interest might be regarded merely as
wOrds-but he believed If conditions of
their neutrality were violated with respect
to any OF foreign points, all his colleagues
were resolved TO do their best, as their duty
to their country and sovereign required. to
maintain the policy they had laid down
relative to Egypt. If those who said the
Government had taken needless precaution
in STIMULATING for the exclusion of Egypt
from the theater of war had all the wild
and perilouS propositions that the Govern
ment had heard, they would be of differ
ent opinion. The Cabinet never hesitated
or differed regarding the adhesion to the
policy of conditional neutrality, although
the method of carrying ie policy into effect
was OF course a question open to discussion,
and the Government should at the proper
moment be perfectly prepared to vindcate
the measures which they had taken. He
believed these measures were likely to have
q most salntary effect. He must tell the
House frankly that these measures were
part of a consistent policy that the Gov
ernment had resolved to pursue and which
they originally announced, namely, to OBJ
serve neutrality, but if that neutrality were
to depend IN their allowing their greatest
interests not to be defended, he was nolonger
in favor of neutrality. but for the interest of
his country ard honor of his sovereign.
Earl Granville asked whether an armis-
tice had been arranged and what its terms
were.
Lord Beaconfield replied relative to the
date and form of what he (Lord Granville)
termed an armistice, There was no such
instrument In existence. He added: That
it vas only decided on Tuesday last to send
feet to the DardaneIes, therefore, the
Government were not cOnceaiing anything
when Parliament opened.
The resignation of Lord Derby is a sur
prise.
1t is believed that the Duke of Richmond
will succeed COnovan, who was ordered to
enter the DardanelleS as commander but
was eountermanded and ordered to remain
in position where ne can cover Gallipoli.
The latest lobby rumOrs are pacific.
Earl Derby has not been at the Foreign
Office for two days; his health il said to be
He is transacting the business of his de-
partment at his private residence. 1t is
believed that his resignation has teen with
drawn. 1t is also thought that the Govern
ment will not now deem it necessary to ask
for a supplementary estimate, and that a
statement to that effect will on Monday
accompany the announcement of the con-
clusiOn of the armistice. Ii the vote
Is persisted in, in the face of the Turkish
acceptance of the Russian conditions will
be opposed by the Liberals by all means in
their power.
Trustworty advices from Vienna indicate
that Austria has begun to look for some-
thing more tangible than general assur-
ances of Russian good intentions. and has
taken steps to obtain at least formal diplo
matte pledges that the interests OF the NOM
archy should suffer no detTiment.
The communications exchanged are said
to have shown more earnest desire than
ever on the part of Russia to maintain the
good understanding hitherto prevailing, and
it is believed that the present exchange OF
views will lead to satisfactory issue.
Germany, also, according to a special dis
patch from Berlin to the Times, has, within
a few days, warned Russia afresh that the
terms of peace must be submitted to the
Powers
NoTE.-It is reported that the Russian
demand for retrocession of Bess Arabia,
may have influence in Germany's ACTION.
The uneasiness of the Austrian Government
is further increased by complications in the
home policy. The questions which led TO
the designation of the AuerSperg ministry
are involved in the Austria-Hungarian COM
promise.