The New York herald., 1878-01-18

Lord Beaconsheld repudiated tile newspaper
statements concerning the governments policy,
and strongly repudated the accusation OF d.
vision In the Cabinet When the government
after mature deiperation, decided upon policy Of
neutrality they were not Influenced by considera-
tions In regard to the value OF Kars and Batoum,
but had to consider the policy and condition OF
many other countries. The government never
varied from the decision they had first arrived at
HIS ACTION CONSISTENT.
Lord Beaconsheld declared that he had written
no letter on public anairs during the recess and
had only spoken once, and then in the presence OF
his colleagues, on which occasion he had with
their approval declared the governments policy to
be one of conditional neutrality
LORD DERBY's STATEMENT EXPLAINED.
Lord Derby's felicitous statement THAT the
greatest British interest is peace,n was
rhetorical expression, but Lord Granville
seemed TO take it as statistical fact.
Peace is a universal interest, but when
speaking OF British interests the government meant
material interests the sources OF wealth the SAFE
guards OF the strength OF the country When
they spoke thus they were told it was mistake 10
suppose there were interests peculiar to England,
or, If there were, they should hide them in o
corner.
NO SELFISH PURPOSE
He did not think the government, by defining
British interests, justified the imputation OF selfish
ness. as all countries frankly declared that they
were actuated by the same motives. He did not
admit that the governments having summoned
Parliament imposed upon them the duty Of imme-
diatey explaining the apprehensions which caused
them to do so.
A DANGEROUS DOUBT.
Suffice it to say that negotiations had been
brought about which might or might not be sue.
were British interests which must not be endan
gered II the contest goes on. II Parliament ap-
proved OF the policy OF conditional neutrality and
the guarding OF those interests, the least they
could do was to give the government means Of
guarding them.
THE BrLwORK OF CIVILIZATION.
Lord Beaconsfeld pointed to the opening of the
present negotiations as proof that England was
not isolated uninhuentia Probably more difficult
negotiations than the present never commenced,
but he hoped they might lead through many
obstacles to the termination OF the terrible
struggle. There was another kind OF isolation be.
sides that arising from decay at the beginning Of
the century. England alone asserted her national
independence; and II the same cause was again ut
stake, or any Power again threatened the world
with predominance fatal to national liberty, he
felt confident the House would not fear the charge
4
such q cause and fighting for British interests
NOT AFRAID OF WAR.
He concluded as folOws:-"lf in the negotiations
British influence increased, as God grant it may
will express the unanimous sentiment of the gov
ernment that that influence will be used for the
greatest interests OF humanity, and for securing
stable and enduring peace. But II we are called
upon to defend therghts and interests Of England;
If present hopes and prospects OF peace un-
realized; II there are circumstances that demand
that we should appeal again and again to Paria-
ment tor the means OF vndicating the honor ana in
terests of the country, am certain the govern
ment will never fail to take that course.n loud
cheers) l.s
THE DUKE OF ARGYLL. .''- sfi
The Duke OF Argyll said:-'Iord Beacohsfeid's
speech was brilliant but evasve. 1t was to be
noted as q significant fact that 1t made no men,
ton of the independence and integrity of the Otto
man Empire. II the government meant that, how
ever long Turkey resisted, Russia would be pre-
cluded from entering Constantinople the gravest
questions would arise"
THE MARQUIS OF SALISBURY. ~ '
The Marquis OF Salisbury emphaticaily denied
that the Cabinet was divided or England isolated.
The summonlng Of Parliamen mt could not encourage
the Turks to resist, as they had been repeatedly
told tC expect no assistance from England. The
government had done all in their power to secure
peace and good government for the Christians IN
Turkey, and would not do anything to imperl
British subjects or their interests for the sake or 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 are threatened,
m w 10 n " nh
the localities Indicated.
''DsMIss US OR TRUST IN USu
The Marquis concluded:-''If you will not trust
the government provide yourselves with q gov
ernment that you will trust. II you trust the gov.
erment provide 1t with the proper means of car.
rylng out your confidence"
AGREED TO.
The address was then agreed to by the Lords.
THE COMMONS ADDRESS IN REPLY.
In the House of Commons the address was moved
by the Hon. Wilbraham Egerton, member for Mid.
cheshire, and seconded by Mr.. Robert Tenant
member for Leeds
THE DEBATE IN THE COMMONS.
In the House OF Commons last evening, In a de.
bate on the address In reply to the Queens speech
the Marquis of Harrington repeated the accusua
ton that the government wilfully assumed q posi-
ton of isolation 1t was not clear whether the
was immediate or contingent on the further prose
cution OF the war; There were grave objections
to such a vote. The reasons given for it in the
royal speech were so vague that it seemed either
as If the government knew what the unexpected
occurrence they mentioned was and wished to
bring it on, were tempting the Turks to further
resistance.
NORrnCoTE DEFENDS THE MINISTRY.
Sir Stafford Northcote, Chancellor of the Ex.
cbequcr, complained of the opposltion's persistent
misrepresentation oil the governments policy In al
legng the government had fixed determination to
go behalf of Turkey. AS regarded their al.
legged isolation, England was IN the same position
as other neutral Powers and would speak out
when 1t was deemed necessary.
DIFFICULT POSITION OF THE GOVERNMENT
The government did not know what the Russian
proposals Tor peace would be. They had at present
no proposals to make themselves. II the Russian