, 1886-01-22

LONDON, Jan. 2l.-In the house of
lords the duke of Abercorn moved an ad-
dress in reply to the speech from the
throne. He spoke of the grave RESPONSE
bilities of those who directed the affairs
of the government, and said that one
cloud hung over the empire, and tnat was
the state of Ireland. He mentioned a
number of duties which the government
must perform in relation to that country,
among which were the maintenance of
union, suppression of prosecutions, Of
which he said the National League was
guilty, and the defense of the loyal Irish
minority. He said no statesman, who
ever he might be, would sacrifice the in
terests Of the country.
The earl Of Scarborough seconded the
motion of Abercorn. Granville congratu-
lated Salisbury, prime minister, on his
possession of two such eloquent support
ers.
Lord Salisbury, in a speech outlining the
policy of the government, said that Ger
many had given assurances that she did
not intend to annex Samoa. With regard
to Burmah, he said it would be better TO
await the arrival of papers from Lord
Dufferin before making any statement.
The government was using its influence to
prevent any important breach of i%nterna-
tional laws. On this point he
said he felt strongly. because it
had been reported that he
had given encouragement to Greece.
This statement he emphatically denounced
as untrue, and declared that England,
above all, desired peace in the East. Re
ierring To Ireland. the prince said the
government had refrained from renewing
the crimes act, because there had been a
prospect of returning order in that coun-
try. The experiment, however, had
failed, although every chance had been
given to make it n success. Moth
ing, he said, could exceed the
patience of the carl of Carnarvon in
carrying out his mission of peace.
The disease, said Lord Salisbury, existed
in Westminster, and not in Ireland, and
the government should proceed to stamp
it out here. The words of Gladstone,
he declared, were answerable for many
Irish evils, Mr.. Gladstone had not
spoken, he said, with sufficient frmness
concerning the integrity Of the empire.
The prime minister's speech was received
with cheers.
Mr.. Gladstone said that the conduct OF
Lord Salisbury in the Roumelian matter
was honorable to him and worthy Of his
name, and was a credit to England. The
opposition would render Lord Salisbury
every assistance and grant him every in
diligence in connection with a settlement
of the Roumelian and Burmese questions.
In regard to Ireland, Mr.. Gladstone said
he wished the queens speech had been
more explicit He was convinced that
only a gentle and conciliatory handling
of the Irish question would be effect
ual. He had always strived tC
eliminate the elements of wrath anC
passion in discussing Ireland. The exer
else of candor and justice coulC
alone afford the smallest hope OF solving
the difficulty. "Whatever," he contn
ued, 1T may be necessary to do for Ire
land should be done promptly. In thu
name of heaven lot US maintain the union
We have been maintaining it for eighty
ive-ycs, for GOO years. let us not dc
D viate from the path Of good temper ant
q selfcommand, but forgetful Of every pro
4 iudice let US strive TO do justice TO tn
great, the gigantic interests committed b
: our charge"
Mr., Gladstone spoke for an hour an
. twenty minutes, and was greatly applaud
throughout
y Sir Michael Hicks Beach, chancellor q
5 the exchoquer, thanked Mr.. Glandston
for his kindly words. He challenged til
y opposition to come TO a decision in regar
70 their attitude toward a unity Of th
empire. II they disagreed with the GOV
eminent, he said, let them move a
d amendment to the address in reply 10 ii
u queen = speech. II they agreed with Il
government, they should declare 30.