The Portland daily press., 1884-05-21
THE OLD WORLD.
News by Gable From Different
Countries.
The Position Of France Toward the
Congo Country Criticized.
Spain to Proceed with Severity Against
Enemies OF the Throne.
ireland not to be Excluded From the
Operations Of the Franchise Bill.
A Liberal speech,


MADRID, May 20.-The tone of the speech
from the throne at the opening of the Oortes
to-day was decidedly liberal. That portion of
the new commercial convention with America
which requires legislative sanction will be
brought promptly before the Cortes. This
body will be absolutely unhampered in its dis.
cussion Of the measure and completely free to
give or withhold its sanction.
Defending a Monarchy.
Senior Csnovas Del Castillo, the prime min
lister, presided last night at a meeting of Con-
servative Senators and Deputies and made
noteworthy speech. He said that it was i'm
portant to defend the monarchy against its op-
ponents. The government would proceed with
the greatest severity against the enemies of
the throne and existing institutions. "Liber-
ty," he declared, "exists in union with mon
archy. II you desire a liberal monarchy like
that OF England give me nation which re-
spects law like the British nation"
The Congo Oounfry-The Londsn Tiples
secs Mischief i'm shc Position of
France.
LONDON, May 20-The Times this morning
in confirming the report that France had
agreed not to interfere with the African Inter-
national Association on the Congo on the i'm
piled promise that the association, in case it
shall wish to withdraw from Its present under.
taking, will cede its possession to France, says:
sit would be difficult to imagine more glar-
ing contrast than that between the negotia-
tions OF the African International Association
with America and of the same association with
France. The recognition of the associations
flag by America was obtained by the announc-
ment OF the broadest and most catholic policy
The association represented itself an benevol-
ents trustee, as a foeter-mother of free African
States yet to be established in the interest of
humanity at large. The French agreement,
however, finds the association undertaking 10
hold the territory, If it can, and otherwise CIV
ing to France the right of presumption. What
was a trust for humanity thus becomes a pri-
vate speculation. The pledges of commercial
freedom to all nations are entirely dropped,
leaving France to enter into possession wholly
unpledged Free trade may be replaced any
moment by French protective tariff. Amer
lea has been led into false position. The as
sociation has agreed to sell what it does not
possess. The bargain is utterly hollow and il
lusory. The associations so-called possessions
relapse into unappropriated territory. The
subject calls for the serious attention of the
Foreign Office"
The franchise Bill.
LONDON, May 20.-The Franchise bill was
considered by the House of Commons today in
committee of the whole. Lord Randolph
Churchill strongly disagreed With the amend
ment of Brodrick, (Conservative), to exclude
Ireland from the operations of the bill. Lord
Randolph expressed the hope that the Conser-
vatives would not ALLEVIATE the good opinion of
the Irish by supporting Brodrick' 8 amendment.
The amendment was rejected 1872 to 1877.
Lord Randolph Churchill and several other
Conservatives and all the Parn elites voted for
the Government. Sir Stafford Northcote and
many of his Conservative followers, quilted
the House before decision was taken.