New-York tribune., 1891-05-05
THE KNUTSFoRD COERCION BILL.
IT PASSES THE COMMITTEE STAGE IN THE
HOUSE OF LORDS.

HOUSE OF LORDS.
London MAY 4.-Lord Kimberly. in the House OF
Lords to-day. moved that in view OF the assurances
which the Government nad received from the New
foundIand delegates that the coloney would inme-
diatey pass an act which would provide for the due
enforcement of the treaty spulai0ns existing between
France and Great Britain the House ought not 10 90
into committee on the KnutsfOrd Coercion Dill un'li
reasonable time had been given 10 newfoundland 10
pass tie necessary legislation. Lord Kimberly also
urged that the Colonial Legislature would not re
pudae the promises Of the delegates and that there
fore the Knutsford bill ought not to be carried any
further.
Lord Knutsford the Colonial Secretary, and framer
of the measure under discussion, refused 10 accede 10
Lord Kimbcrlys motion, asserting that the Newfound-
land question had Imperial character. which must
be recognized in dealing with 1t. Lord Kn>!sford
added however, that if Newfoundland would pass the
promised the bnl at present before the I'M
perial Parliament would be dropped.
Lord Knutsford read correspondence in which, IN
stead OF presenting the draft Of the knutSod pI as
the Government expected the Newfoundland dele-
gates offered to get the Newfoundland Legislature 10
pass a temporary bill replacing the Knutstord measure
providing the latter dropped and the Government
ergaged itsen to discuss with the delegates Dill
creating courts to adjudlcate complaints ar ing from
disputed treaty rights. In a letter In reply, Loru
Knutsfor said he regretted that the Government was
unable TO accede TO these requests OF the delegates,
which differed nom Sir William Whlt"dSs eNttehoNiu
Of the bar of the House Of Lords. Lord knutsford also
nrotsd that the hints that the delegates had made
IN the effect that the colony suffering by French
nressure arising from Englands Egyptian policy, were
nnfounded: but he agreed 10 consult the colony
before submitting other questions to arbitration ana 10
consider the question of compensation OF persons aus
tnrhed by the award OF the arbitI5tors, though he
oouId not admit the liability Of the Government
Lord Knutsford after commenting upon the Iet'ers'
oHcred to meet some Of the objections OF the op-
nosition by making the bill temporary pehuhs
negotiations instead Of permanent.
Lord Dunraven said that he regretted tlat Tie "oV
r,ent could not agree to abandon the knutsford DILL
a. II eaemed that the NewfOundandcrs were hohesuy
determined TO do all In their power 10 aVou 'e no
cess,ty of any coercive measures.
Lord Herschell one Of tho Deputy speakers ~ the
11 ~ ords held that it Of primary Importance
IN bi relation 10 consider the opinions OF the colonlsA
70 the Government desired 10 maintain It's coiohla CHI
-, rrbe action Of Lord Knutsford justihed the no
lection Of the bill 49,, .a
Ird salisbury said that the Government had entered
,.. se1lo,s International obligations with France
rhtoh rnust lie carried out Under the decisions OF
tho Newfoundland courts, the hands OF ule haNai
o.,ers we're paralyzed They could not regularly
averose the Jurisdiction whch they had h'her'o
effected The bill. Lord salisbury ADDED wac heoes
~ IN case OF the failure OF act by the Newfound-
ad ieSsIa;iirs 10 enforce the measures when We
E1Sufsford bill was des signed 10 carry out
Afi~r some further discussion, LoId hlmDeriy , mo-
ton was rejected, By vote 0i 10 y o. oo; %, CON
time lu force for only one year LORI SALISBURY ~ ~
~ sithe notion and il was reIected-61 to IL The
In then passed the committee stage