The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-03-21
LO-FRENCH RUMPUS.
NEWFOUNDLAND AROUSED BY
THE KNUTSFoRD BILL.


A Copy of the Proposed Measure Not
Sent to the Colony-The Colonists
Bound to Resist Coercion to the
Last-France Refuses to Yield a
Point.
LONDON, March 20.-Lord Knutsford's
bill revives the crowns authority to instruct
naval officers to enforce the treaties Of
Utrecht. Versailles and Paris securing fish,
ing rights to France. A clause provides
that if the colonial legislature supplies the
necessary powers to secure the performance
of the treaties upon international arrange
ment before the bill is passed the bill will be
suspended.
WILL STIR UP HORNETS NEST.
The Daily NstoS thinks this is an extraor-
binary proposal, which may bring hor-
nets nest around the governments ears. 1t
is anxious not to embarrass the government
iu delicate and difficult question, but it
feels bound to remark that the bill is an
open confession of failurei in Newfoundland.
The Standard says: "Were the position
created by the Bayard Judgment tolerated
our treaties would be waste paper, and
either our men-of-war would be piratical
junks, or the enterprising people Of New
with the French marines. We trust that
the report that the government did not
inform the colony that such bill was con-
templated is incorrect, and that the colo
nists will behave sensibly in the matter.
DO they believe that they can fight France
single-handedT'
WON'T STAND MARTIAL LAW.
The Pail Mall Gazette to-day gives great
prominence to a communication from q
gentleman who occupies a position of in-
huence in Newfoundland, and who is now
in this city. In this communica-
tion the Newfoundlander declares
that any attempt on the part Of the impe-
rial government to enforce martial law in
Newfoundland will be resisted, adding:
"The tories cannot come the Trafalgar
square business over u.s." At the conclu-
sion of long editorial leader upon the
subject, the Pail Mall Gazette says: "Un-
less something is done quickly to bring
about reprochement between the colonies
and the colonial offics we may find the
Newfoundland kettle Of fish will 60 the way
Of the Boston packets Of tea"
PROTEST AGAINST COERCION.
In the House OF Commons to-day dis
patch from st. Johns, n. F., was read. The
eminent resolutions adopted by the colonial
legislature, requesting England to delay any
coercive legislation until the colony has
been heard in its defense. The cable mes
sage transmits the resolutions in full,
and is signed by the president
of the legislative council and the
speaker Of the House Assembly of New.
foundland. William Henry Smith, first
lord of the treasury, commenting upon the
dispatch, said that it touched upon Ques-
ton of great Importance, aud upon the
part of the government he was unwilling to
| give hasty answer. As it was, Mr.. Smith
| had been unable to confer with his COL
leagues, as the dispatch had only been re-
ceived to-day. It was entitled to the ut
most consideration.
COPY NOT SENT TO NEWFOUNDLAND.
Replying to question on the subject, Sir
James Ferguson, political secretary Of the
foreign office, said that the draft of the
House of Lords bill in regard to Newfound-
land had not been sent to st. John. The
government of the colony of Newfoundland,
| he added, was requested by the foreign
office in November last to procure the
necessary legislation to empower England
| to carry out the treaties with France. The
present bill was proposed in consequence OF
| the refusal of the government OF Newfound-
| land to accede to the request of the foreign
office.
GRAVITY OF THE QUESTION.
| (Copyrtohted, 1891, By the Ne1 York associated
PreSS)
LONDON. March 20-The gravity of the
| Newfoundland question only begins to dawn
on the country. In yesterday evenings
| debate in the House of Lords the leaders on
| both sides avoided as far as possible touch
| ing the probable complications endangering
| the peace of the empire, yet they could not
avoid imparting an impression that devel-
| opments are likely which may give rise &c
| serious trouble. Lord Salisbury, in the
| gravest Of recent ministerial deliverances,
weighing every word with care, admitted
| that it was difficult to look without grave
| apprehension to the future in view Of the
| strong feeling in France against the slight
| est relaxation even of the more extreme
and unreasonable of her claims.
INDUCEMENTS KEPT SECRET.
Lord Salisbury refrained from disclosing
what inducements would be offered to M.
Ribot, the French foreign minister, to con-
sent to an arrangement satisfactory
to Newfoundland. He was equally
reticent on the question whether
armed coercion would be used TO
enforce the Knutsford bill. The island, he
said, had been a spot of historic misfortune
it was an illustration of the continuity OF
history. These phrases recalled speeches on
the same side which have preluded the
worst form of Irish oppression. The de-
bate has profoundly agitated the members
of the House Of Commons.
ABOUT TO MOVE AN ADJOURNMENT.
Sir J. P HennessY intended tonight to
move an adjournment in order to immedi-
ately challenge the government policy, but
was induced to postpone his motion until
Mr.. Smith had presented statement which
he promised to make on Monday next.
Lord Kimberley's partial assent to Lord
KnntefOrd,s prnnOsad naasurn does nOt
| represent either the feeling Of the liberals
or the policy of the liberal leaders.
The tenor of the communication ex-
| changed to-day by Messrs. Gladstone, Nor
ley and other liberals points to strenuous
| opposition on behalf of the Newfoundland
government, and had Mr.. Hennessy moved
| to adjourn be would have had a following
sufficiently strong to show the government
the opinion of parliament setting against
the bill as too stringent measure.
THE OUTLOOK FOR MONDAY.
If Mr.. Smiths reply on Monday does not
meet the wishes of the liberals the govern
mont will have to face, in addition to par
liamentary resistance, strong pressure
among the conservatives TO concede
| the delay which the Newfoundland legisla-
| ture asks before passing the bill.
The lobby forecasts tonight agree that
| the government will pause until the dele
| gates OF the Newfoundland legislature,
who are coming to London, have had
annie time to be heard. The
hill provides for its own suspen-