The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-28
THE BRITISH WAR CREDIT.
The Entire Sum Granted in the Shape Asked
by Mr.. Gladstone.

The Entire Sum Granted in the Shape Asked
by Mr.. Gladstone.
LONDON, April 27.--Mr Gladstone, in the
House of Commons, bringing up the subject of
the vote of credit of $50, ,000, 900 asked for the
government on the army and navy account,
said he hoped that the motion to divide the
credit would not be passed. The government,
he said would not devote any portion of the
money voted for particular purposes for use in
the Soudan, but would reserve discretion to
apply the money taken for the Soudan account
for the purposes Of special preparations. He
urged that the House vote the government the
entire $55, 600, 900 en- bloc.
The House of Commons without discussion,
suggested by Mr.. Gladstone, voted the entire
credit of $55, 00O, 600 asked by the government.
Mr.. Edward Gourley, Radical member for
Sunderland, asked whether the government
would endeavor to have the dispute with Russia
referred for abitrament to the United States of
America.
Mr.. Gladstone answered: 1.-THE government
is quite sensible of its heavy responsibility to
maintain the honor and good faith of the country
on the one hand, and, on the other, to use every
means consistent with tha. honor to avoid war.
can give no more particular reply this" This
utterance was accepted as significant, and was
received with cries Of ''Hear!" Heart"
In moving the vote of credit, Mr.. Gladstone
said that the government considered it neces-
well in hand for use and application wherever
they may be required. Events since the fall of
Khartoum have shown that Ell Mahdi's power
has collapsed England's possession of Khar
toum would not put stop to the slave trade,
and therefore it would be useless to shed
blood and treasure in the Soudan.
In regard to the alleged smallness
of the vote. he said that it is the largest that has
been asked since the Crimean war, and is also
coincident with large increases in the annual
. army and navy votes. Furthermore, he said,
the case relates primarily to India In order to
fully appreciate the amount entailed, it is re-
ouisite to know the extent Of the
measures being taken in India. The case is not
one of war, actually, or, perhaps, proximately.
He did not feel called upon to define the degree
of danger, but he would say, in regard to the sad
contingency of an outbreak of war or rupture
of relations with Russia that her Majesty's
government had striven to conduct the dlplo-
matte controversy in such way that if it un-
happily ended in violent rupture, they might
at least be able to challenge the verdict of man.
kind whether they had done all they could do. and
had used every just and honorable effort to pre-
vent the plunging of two such countries into
boodshed and despair [Cheers.l The question
before the Commons. he said, was simple,
ana even a narrow, although an important one
Parliament partial information only would
mslead them. The government sub
which which the whole world world is slt acquainted. tied.
There exists abundant cause for the war prepa-
rations which are being carried on. [Cheers.l
The starting point was the obligation TO the
Ameer, which should be fulfilled in an unstinted
manner. Cheers The covenant with Russia
of March 16 was one which England hoped and
believed would be recognized one of the most
sacred ever made between two great nations,
and if any deviation occurred there should be
jealous rivalry between the two nations to sift
to the bottom all thai remained in suspense. A
bloody engagement occurred on March 80, show
ing that both failed to fulfill the
covenant England considered it the duty of
both countries to ascertain how the calamity
occurred. He would not say that the govern
ment possessed all the facts in the case. They
possess facts which created an impression ad
verse to some of those formed by the other
party to the covenant, but they would not dev-
ate from the strictest principles of justice by
anticipating anything of the ultimate issue of
the fair inquiry they are desirous of prosecuting.
The cause of the collision is perhaps
doubtful, but it is certain the Russians
were the attacking party, and the Afghans suf-
fered in life, spirit and repute. We must do our
best to have right done in the matter There
fore, there is cause for war preparations. He
hoped the House would not delay its assent,
which woald only tend to propagate, there and
elsewhere, the opinion that there was some in
decision in tie mind of Parliament
whereas he believed that one heart
soul and purpose animated them. He be-
lieved that while reserving absolute liberty
to Judge the conduct Of the government and to
visit them with its consequences, they would 60
forward 20 meet the demand of justice and the
call OF honor, and. only subject to justice and
honor, to labor for the purpose of peace
At the conclusion of the speech, the delivery
Of which occupied one hour, the House broke
out in loud ana prolonged cheering. Mr.. Glad
stosc was listened to with deep attention and in
silence. aud his words created profound scnsa
ton.
The opinion in the lobbies tonight is that
Mr.. Gladstone's speech means that war is ineyit-
able.
The Conservatives had intended to move the
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