Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-01-25

The speech OF Queen Victoria in opening
Parliament, on Thursday last, has doubtless
had quietiug effect upon the English mind.
Neither of the belliserentS hIS violated the
conditions Of the Qleel's neutrality, and
she believes both a.e de-irOas to respect
them. She he's asked Russil to N IKE peace
with Turkey, the CzIr has given his opinion
what ought 10 be done, and communications
are now in progress between the beiliserent
powers. 50 that peace Is problble The fu-
ture policy Is to be one Of provisional neu-
trality, bat she requests thu. Parliament
will vote suitable supplies to put the army
and navy in proper condition, in case tns
present hostilities should continue and
"some unexpected occurrence" should rem
der it necessary to protect British interests.
In the debate on the address. Lord Boa
consheld said that the summons to Parlia-
ment was is-ued when there at first appear
ed to he an opportunity for the inIusura-
tion of peace negotiations. He said "If
we are called upon to defend the rights
and interests of England, if our present
hopes and prospects of peace are unrealized,
if there are circumstances that demand that
We should appeal again md again To Par
lament for means of vindicIting the honor
and interests of the country, | am certain
the government will never fail to take that
course" Loud cheers
The marquis of Salisbury denied that the
cabinet was divided or England Isolated.
The summoning of Parliament eouli not en-
courage the Turks to resist, as they bad
been repeatedly told to expect No assistance
from England. The government had done
all in their power to secure peace and good
government for the Christians in Turkey.
but would not do anything to imperil Brit
ish subjects or their interests for the sake of
all the other Christians in the world. 1t
was not, however, in despair of peace that
the government now asked. or would shortly
ask, Parliament to assist them in taking
necessary precautions. He did not wish to
enter into the exact circumstances under
which the interests defined were threaten
ed, but knew the waves of war would ar-
proach closely the localities indicated.
In the house of Commons, Sir Stafford
Northcote said that England was in the
same position as other neutral powers, and
would speak out when it was deemed ueces-
sary- The government did not know what
the Russian proposals for peace would be-
They had at present no proposals IL make
themselves. Ii the Russian proposals in any
way affected the arrangements. between
the European powers. they must receive
the assent Of those powers. The position of
of the government was one of considerable
delicacy and anxiety. They had no propos-
ais to make at present, bat thought it right
to say that it might beclms their duty to
put themselves in a position to enable them
take necessary precautions. They were as
anxious as any one to avoid the horrors of
war and stop the present conflict, bat at the
same time they believed that now was
A time when By proper action they could
prevent further embodiment. The CIV
srnment had no secret intentions but could
not hope for success unleS they hld the
proper support Of Parliament.