The morning call., 1891-03-21

LONDON, March 2O-The gravity Of the
Newfoundland question only begins to
dawn upon the country. In yesterday
evenings debate in the House of Lords the
leaders on both sides avoided as far as pos
sible touching upon the complications en-
dangering the peace of the empire, vet could
not avoid imparting the impression that de-
velopments are likely which may give rise
to serious trouble.
Lord Salisbury. in the gravest of minis
terial deliveranees, 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 slightest relaxation even
of the most extreme and unreasonable Of
her claims. Lord Salisbury refrained from
disclosing what inducements would be Of
fered to France to consent to an arrange
lnent satisfactory to Newfoundland. He
was equally reticent On the question whether
armed coercion would be used to enforce
Knutsford'S bill.
The island, he said. had been the sport of
historic misfortune; it was an Illustration
of the continuity Of history.
These phrases recall the speeches made
on the same side which have precInded the
worst forms of Irish oppression. The de-
bate has profoundly agItated the members
of the Commons. The tenor of the commu-
nications exchanged to-day by the leading
Liberals points to strenuous opposition on
behalf of the Newfoundland Government
and had HenneSsy made his threatened mo-
tiOn to adjourn to challenge the Govern
ment policy he would have had a following
sufficiently strong to show the Government
that the opinion of Parliament was setting
against the bill as too stringent a measure.
HenneSsy was induced to defer his motion
until Smith makes his promised statement
on Monday. The lobby forecasts tonight
agree that the Government will pause until
the delegates coming from Newfoundland
have had a chance TO be heard.
KNUTsFoRDs BILL.
Lord KnutsfordS bill reyives the Crowns
authority to instruct naval officers TO en-
force the treaties of Utrecht, Versailles and
Paris, securing fishing rights to France.
The bill provides for its own suspension if
the Newfoundland Legislature passes
measures necessary to secure a modus vi
vendi. The Liberals will advise the dele
gates 10 ACCEPT lulSt promising 10 support
the colony in demanding that the fuaI set
Element should include the withdrawal of
the French from the Newfoundland coast.
Tie Speaker, in its issue Tomorrow, will
reflect the general feeling, in saying it
would relieve bushels OF embarrassment II
the Newfoundlanders shipped their Gov
ernOr aboard mail-b0at and hauled down
the Union Jack. If they did tins, they
would likely fad the people Of the United
States pause before accepting the addition
q ROY 10 a pn u ha
OF France
DISCOURAGED PARNELLITEs.
Parnen left Dublin tonight for Sligo,
where his candidate, Dillon, is facing in
creasiug odds The Parnellites' hope that
that section of the clergy would refrain
from interference has been blasted, as the
whole OF the clergy OF the district are be-
coming active agents in the election. Far
neil has promised to explain his position
regarding Healy's challenge on Sunday,
tut the Nationalists expect he will not
decide whether to accept il or not until he
has seen the issue of the Sligo struggle.
The parDellites are intensely savage over
GiadstOne'S declaration that home rule Will
be impossible with PaTneN as the Irish
leader, and renew the cry OF English dicta-
ton. On the other hand the NatiOuaiists
rely upon the declaration as enabling the
Irish people definitely 10 recognize tnat ad-
hesion to Parnell means the collapse of the
constitutional movement.
ORTHODOX CIRCLES EXCITED.
The Wesleyan body is excited over
paper read By Professor Dawson at a meet
ing Of London Wesleyan ministers, iu which
he admitted the composite character of
the Pentateuch, doubted the authorship of
Isaiah. and held that the traditional view
of inspiration is no longer trnabIe and that
Christians must not take up the position
that their faith in Christ depended upon
their faith in the Scriptures but that their
faith in the Scriptures depended upon their
faith in Christ. These declarations have
caused diSmay in orthpdOX circles.