The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-11
SALISBURY ON THE TREATY.
he THINKS ENGLAND GETS HER
SHARE IN AFRICA.
The Agreement Gnin 10 Both SIdes-U
VIII Cement Good Feeling Between
England and Germuny-The HeliTolnnd
CessIon BIII Passes Its Second Reading.


VIII Cement Good Feeling between
England and Germuny-The HciIgoiand
CessIOn BiII PASSES Its Second Reading.
LONDON. July 10.-Lord Salisbury moved the
second reading Of the Ileligoland Cession bill
In the House OF Lords to-day lie said the
Island had been of some service to England
during the struggle with Napoleon. Since
then II had been neither fortified nor defender,
and England never had any intention to fortify
it. For strategic purposes it was worthless.
Thoro was no harbor there, and the roadstead
was untenube In northwest winds. CONNER
cially it was OF small value In the event of
war it would be II distinct disadvantage to
England. having to defend widely scattered
empire to DO Obliged TO keep IL force to guard
place Of no value.
There was no reason why tho Inhabitants OF
Heligoland should oppose tho cession Of tho
island to Germany. Thoy wore related by tho
closest bonds OF language race. and religion
to the Germans. Their means Of livelihood.
depending upon summer visitors. would be in
creased when the island became a part OF Ger
many. He could not admit the doctrine that
the decision Of tho population OF n place occu-
pied for naval and military purposes ought to
be conclusive. There waS the greatest diiIor-
ence between possessions held for the benefit
OF the population only and possessions hold
deiences OF the empire as n whole. Cries Of
" Hear henr!"l
Referring to the African clauses OF the con-
vention. he contended that rs long as With
was in the hands OF another power English In
terests northward could be interered with.
but under the convention there was not u
chance OF interference until the confines Of
Egypt were reached. Regarding Zanzibar, lie
urged that an exclusive English protectorate
would assist in tho suppression OF the slave
trade and develop the commerce of England
hendiuG ty over the convention with
any Europe er. 1t was erroneous 10 al
Africa before as after the conclusion of the
agreement The mere command of the sen or
the initiative In dealing with the races in the
interior did not give an International right OF
control.
II was impossible for England to affect to
lock up the Whole of Africa There was only
one strong criticism adverse 20 thu agreement,
arising from the Gu ions idea that special
advantage Gertained to having strin Of terri
tho sources OF the Nile. lie denied that This
would be Of any advantage commercial or
stra egic Germany naturally OBJ ected to
being thus hemmed In from ali possible con
tact with the Congo State.
The agreement was necessity. II only to
prevent the dangers of n conflict between tho
English and the Germans. Both were ami
mated by an energetic desire for acquisition:
Both showed strong will and little restraint
OF feeling In their endeavors to secure snprcm.
acy and Influence among the native chiefs and
tribes. Any collision was maEnliied by the
press and excited national passions. The
Governments might be unable {" resist the
eontaGion OF POPULAR excitement; Thus
happy sympathy between two kindred coun-
tries might be exposed TO serious danger.
The agreement was Il gain to both sides,
each Obtaining what suited its own purpose.
over the other. 1t would remove NIL danger of
dsunion and conflict cementng the good feel
ing between those who by sympathy. interests.
and descent ought always to be friends.
Cheers.
Lord Rosebery said 1t was no part Of the duty
of tho House 10 pick small holes In the agree
ment What would have been sail If such pro-
pcsals had come from the Gladstone Govern
ment? Hear. heart He would not earn over
that tended to cement Englands
help noin ting out that in exchange for Heligo-
land England got responsibilities OF projection
rather than OF dominion. Moreover. Paria-
ment ought 10 have the evid ence of experts
tnat The cession OF HeIigoland involved no los
oflmilItary or naval advantage Parliament
ought also to know how tie Government stood
toward FraECe in claiming position guaran-
teeing power over LanZlbnr.
Earl Granv lille asked how the inhabitants OF
Heligoland viewed the ce,sion aud also if the
consent Of France to the prOtectorate OF Fan
Zibar had been secured.
Lord Salisbury said he did not doubt that the
Inhabitants we're well disrosed toward the
change. Communications still proceeding. he
SAID. rendered It impossible to discuss the ne
gotiations with France.
Lord kimberley desired to impress upon the
the fact that Parliament ought
not to be called upon to ratify the cession OF
HeIigOland without assurance that France
would assent to England's pIotectorato over
Zanzibar
The bill passed tho second reading without
division.