The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1885-07-23

Outlines the Policy of the British
Government.

Outlines the Policy of the British
! Government.
In the House of Lords Salisbury stated
! that he would continue the policy adopted
! by Gladstone in regard TO negotiations with
Russia for the settlement of the frontier of
| Afghanistan. The business Of the Govern-
| ment was not now to consider or comment
! on the past. 1t was their business to take
! up the policy of their predecessors and
| conduct it to an issue consistent with the
| public interest.
TIle Russian Question.
The first duty of any Government was to
! see that the pledges which the English
Government had given should be observed.
AS far as he had any opportunity of judg-
ing, the II gotiations between Russia and
England had been conducted with an earn
est desire to arrive at an adequate settle
ment, but the negotiations had not gone far
enough to enable him to speak positively.
The whole condition of affairs in Central
Asia was very unsatisfactory and uncertain.
1--WE hope,n he said, ''to arrive at an ami
able settlement of the differences III regard
to the Zulikar Pass, which England had
promised the Ameer would be included in
Afghanistan. What had been promised
must be kept, whatever settlement might
be arrived at. 1t was our duty to skilfuly
devise and vigorously lay out measures for
the defense of the Indian frontier Fur
thermOre We should stretch out beyond so
that when the tide of war comes it will not
come near our provinces. Those prepare
tons must be promptly and energetically
made, and trust that this policy will never
be abandoned"
The Egyptian Problem.
1.-THE present difficulty in Egypt is per-
haps one of the most complicated problems
that has ever been submitted to the Gov
eminent. The difficulties are enormous
and now form the subject of negotiations.
Before deciding the Government must take
counsel of those best qualified by experience
to guide them. Their policy should be
steady and without oscillation. One of
the most momentous issues was the defense
of the frontier of Egypt by the Egyptians,
assisted, no doubt, in some measure. by
ourselves, against the tide of fanaticism
and barbarism. If we withdraw our pro
tecting hand Egypt should be left safe
One principle must animate, namely, to so
weigh our steps that once taken we must
not retrace them. The military difficulty
is large one; the political difficulty is
larger one. Still, the question is whether
provinces in the Soudan which had lately
ceased to be practically under the control |
of Egypt should be abandoned to their fate. |
The most important of Egyptian questions, |
however, is the financial question, which is !
as yet unsettled There is no alternative |
between taking steady, cautious and cir
cumspect policy and taking course which |
would cover England with shame, namely, |
to abandon Egypt to her fate"
Domestic Affairs.
The Marquis of Salisbury then referred |
to the domestic policy of his Government. !
He said it was intended to avoid conten-
tious legislation, and to promote only such |
measures as were necessary. These would |
include, perhaps, a Secretary for Scotland
bill. He said he would wind up the session
at the earliest date possible, and expressed
the hope that the general elections would
be held on November 18th.
Significant Fact
The work of fortifying the Bosphorus
has been stopped, owing 10 the conviction
that there is no further danger of a collision
between England and Russia.