, 1885-05-05
THE LAST REPORT.
The Outlook for Peace Now
Almost Certain.
The Dispute to be Settled by a
Neutral Power.
A Warm Time in the House of
Commons.
aladstone,a Last Ranort.

the occupancy Oh FORT lialn1ltOnt on Quel
paert island. In response to a question
by Sir Stafford Northcote, Gladstone sale
all impediments in the way of a friendly
prosecution of the correspondence on the
Afghan question. between England and
Russia, appeared to be removed. The
two governments, he said, are now ready
to refer to the sovereign of some friendly
state. any difficulties which may be found
to exist in regard TO the agreement Of the
10th of March, with a view to a settle
ment of the matter in a mode consistent
with the honor of both sides. Continu-
ing, Gladstone said both England and
Russia are prepared to resume forthwith
in London communications on the main
points OF the line eliminating the Afghan
frontier, but the details of the line have
to be examined and traced on the spot in
conformity with the conditions formerly
agreed upon. Russia, said the premier.
has expressed herself willing to agree to
the removal Of the Russian outposts.
LONDON, May An the house of com
mons, referring to the subject of the re-
sumption Of communications In London
between England and Russia, Mr.. Glad
stone said they would be much facilitated
by the more full and exact knowledge
which the government now possessed Of
the ameer's views since the meeting be-
tween him and Earl Dufferin ae Rawal
Pindi, and the valuable Geographic infor-
nation which had since reached England.
Right Hon. Sir Charles Dixie, presi-
dent of the local government board, an
nounced for the government that it was
imperative in the interest of the country
that the house proceed at once with the
vote of credit.
A number Of members at once put in
terrogatories to the government concern
ing the trustworthiness of the reports of
both Sir Peter Lumsden and Gen Kom-
aroff. Mr.. Gladstone answered in detail,
stating in substance hat the dispute of
the Penjdeh incident had never been a
question Of the trial of any officer, but one
which concerned the honor of the two
governments involved in the March agree
ment.
Lord Randolph Churchill, the young
Conservative leader, now arose and
launched into a savage assault on the gov
eminent. The argument just made on be-
half of the government, he said, was a
terrible piece of new for those anxious
for the safety of the Indian empire. THE
government, cried out his lordship,
have made base and cowardly surren-
der of every point at issue to Russia. l
greatly fear. that as a result we have lost
India. Lord Randolph, continuing, said
that he protested against the conduct Of
the government in submitting the vote of
credit on Monday last without giving the
slightest indication of their policy and the
exact point at issue with Russia. The
latter, he commended, had been for a long
time breaking the agreement of 1878 with
respect to Central Asia. In regard to the
Afghans, Lord Churchill insisted that the
Russians long ago passed the boundary
which they hid promised to respect as the
rightful frontier line of the ameer's domin-
ions. In 1889 a series Of pledges were
voluntarily given by Russia concerning
the boundary, and all of them had been
deliberately broken.
Mr.. Henry Laboucherc Radical,
moved hat the vote of credit be reduced
from $40, 100000 to $50, 100000 The
motion was rejected - to %. The ma
jority included the Conservative leaders.
The Parnellites voted with the minority.
The speaker then put the main ques-
ton, the vote of credit of$55, O00, 600.
Several members questioned Mr..
Gladstone, but failed to elicit any further
information.
Sir Randolph Churchill said he feared
that when the news should become known
in India, England would lose all the re-
spect, sympathy and loyalty of the ma.
tives. He declared the history of Rus
sia's negotiations with England was a
record of treachery. fraud and f%alsehood.
Remembering the action Of the govern
ment in the present matter, and the use
less sacrifices in the Soudan, it was i'm
possible to rcDose the slightest confidence
in the government, and it was farcical to
acquiesce in the present vote. He i'm
plored the ministers who were dealing