New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-07-11
THE HELIGOLAND BILL.
lord SALISBURY'S ARGUMENT IN FAVOR OF
CEDING THE ISLAND TO GERMANY.
HE DECLARES THE AGREEMENT NECESSITY
TO AVERT THE DANGER OF A CONFLICT
IMPORTANT MEASURES TO BE
DROPPED IN THE COMMONS

London. July IO.-Lord Salisbury moved the
second reading of the Heligoland Cession bill in
the House of Lords to-day. He said the island
had been of some service to England during the
struggle with Napoleon. Since then it had been
neither fortified nor defended, and England never
had any intention to fortify it, For strategic
purposes il was worthless. Commercially it was
of small value There was no reason why the
inhabitants of Heligoland should oppose the ces-
sion of the island to Germany They were related
by the closest bonds of language race and re-
Ioion 10 the Germans. Their means of livel
hood would be increased when the island became
q mart of Germany He could not admit the
doctrine that the decision of the population of "a
nlace occupied for naval and military purposes
ouqht 70 be conclusive There was the greatest
differences between possessions held for the bene-
fit of the population only and possessions held
solely for the purpose of contributing to- the de-
fences of the Empire as whole (Cries of Hear,
hear!")
Referring to the African clauses of the con-
vention he contended that as long as With was
in the hands of another Power English interests
no,,l wards could be interfered with, but under
the convention there was not chance of inter
ference until the confines of Egypt were reached.
Regarding Zanzibar he urged that an exclusive
English protectorate would assist in the suppress
sion of the slave trade, and develop the commerce
OF England and India There ground
for apprehending difficulty over the convention
with any European Power. 1t was erroneous to
allege that England had much power in East
Africa before after the conclusion of the agree
ment 1t was impossible for England TO affect
to lock up the whole of Africa.
There only one strong criticism adverse to
the agreement, arising from the curious idea that
a special advantage pertaned to having strip
of territory extending from the Cape of Good
Hope TO the sources OF the Nile He denied that
this would be of any advantage, commercial or
strategic. Germany naturally objected to being
thus bemmed i'll from all possible contact with
the Congo State. The agreementewas a necessity,
if only to prevent the dangers of b conflict be-
tween the English and the Germans Both were
animated by an energetic desire for acquisition.
Any collision magnifed by the press, and
excited national passions. The Government might
be unable TO resist the contagion of popular
excitement. Thus happy sympathy between
two kindred countries might be exposed to serious
danger. The agreement gain to both sides.
1t would remedy all danger OF disunion and con-
fict, cementing the good feeling between those
who by sympathy, interests and descent ought
always to be friends tCheers.l
Lord Rosebery said it part of the duty
of the House to pick small holes in the agreement
What would have been said if such proposals had
come from the Gladstone Government? {" Hear,
hear!") He would not carp over arrangements
that tended TO cement England's friendship with
Germany, but he could not help pointing out that
in exchange for HeligOland England got response
bilities of protection rather than of dominion.
Moreover Parliament ought to have the evidence
OF experts that the cesson of Heligoland involved
no loss of military naval advantage. Parlia-
ment ought also TO know how the Government
stood toward France in claiming positive guar
anteeing power over Zanzibar.
Lord Kimberly desired to impress upon the Gov
eminent the fact that Parliament ought not to
be called upon to ratfy the cession of Heligoland
without assurance that France would assent to
Enplaut's prOtectorate over Zanzibar.
The bill passed the second reading without d.
vision. So
In the House of Commons to-day W. II. Smith,
the Government leader said that in view OF the
late period of the session the Government had
decided not to proceed with the standing order
relating TO the postpOnement Of the cOnslderatlon
OF bills from one session to another ~ nau also
decided to drop the Irish Land Purchase plil
and the Tithes bill during the present session.
but TO introduce them again at the next session.
which would open in November In closing, MI.
Smith said he trusted that before the House was
nrorogued it would pass the bill providing for the
cession of IIeligoland to Germany, the Local Ia&a
tion bill. the bill providing Tor the housing OF
The working classes and the Census bill:
Sir William Vernon Harcourt said he hoped Gfe
Government would consult the House about h0in-
ing meeting of Parliament in November MI
Gladstone expressed similar wish -
In response, Mr.. Smith said that tne UoVernneno
was satisfied to the convenience OF Sesson
opening in November: o,,,
The Opposition will resist to the ntmost duS
nronosaI for the reassembling of Parliament De
fore January.