The morning call., 1892-03-08
THE DEFElSES AT NQTIMiLT
Discussion in the British Parliament
on the Question.
URGEECY EXISTING FOR THE WORK.
Canada Required TO Share the Expease-Sir Stafford
kOrtheOte'S Notion Defeated Nothing
New at Washington.
Epecial 10 THE MORNING CALI.

LONDON, March THE question Of the
defenses at Esauimalt, on Vancouver
Island. b. c., caused a lengthy debate
In the House Of Commons to-day. Sir Staf-
ford NoIthcote called the attention of the
House to the state of the defenses there
and asked what steps had been taken to
secure the completion of the works. The
Canadian Pacific Railroad. he said. now
offered an alternative route to the East,
and would be of immense service in the
event Of war. He moved that the fortIfica-
tions be hastened to completion.
Admiral Field, member for South Sussex,
said the question of expenses ought not to
thrown solely on the Imperial Government.
Messrs. Munro and FERGUSON also re-
gretted that Canada was evading her share
Of imperial burdens for defense.
Secretary of War Stan hope spoke OF the
Importance OF EsQuimalt defenses and re-
greited that the works were not yet CON-
peted. The Imperial Government had
promised TO provide guns. mining stores,
skilled engineers and plans, and Canada
ought to provide the sites, construct the
works for the guns to be erected and main
tain them for the Imperial Government
lie was sorry to say that although the guns
and atraiued garrison were ready the fort
works had not yet been commenced. He
had recently teIegraphed the Canadian
Government that the defenses should be
carried out and he was quite sure that Can
ada had also determined 10 complete the
works. Urgency existed for executing the
work, aud he assured the house that the
spirit OF the motion would be observed.
N0rthcote's motion was then defeated
without division.
II dmond (Home-ruler) asked whether, in
faFar Of -NKNr I trsrr-
council elections, the Government proposed
TO Immediately dissolve Parliament. Bal
four ignored the question.
a mistake OF the telegraph agency re-
porting Secretary Stanhops's speech on the
Esquim alt defenses created much alarm
to-day. 1t made III N say that urgency had
arisen during the last few days. instead
of the last few years" On tie Outsid
this was connected with the adverse ru-
mors regarding the Bering Sea question
Had not the Stock Exchange been closed
the error would have caused panic.
WASHINGTON, March 7.-There are no
new developments to-day, so far as can be
learned, in the Bering Sea controversy
he illness of Secretary Blaine would have
prevented meeting of the Cabinet to-day,
even if one had been contemplated. The
situation will be fully considered, however,
at the regular meeting tomorrow, for the
purpose Of determining the policy of this
Government In the event CT Lord Sails
DuIY continued relusal 10 renew the
modus vivendi for the coming Season.
General Foster OF the State Department,
who is assisting Secretary Blaine in nego-
tiati0ns on this subject, had a conference
with the President Oh the situation this
morning, and subsequently conferred with
Blaine at his home. Later Sir Julian
Paunce.Ote called At the State Department
and had an interview with Assistant Secre-
tarv Wharton.
NEW YoRK. March 7.-Sir George Baden
Powell, the English member of the Bering
Sea Commission, when seen this evening
secuted the idea of serious complications
over the settlement of the seal question be-
tween this country and Great Britain. Sir
George spoke of visiting the seal fisheries,
and did not think they were diminishing in
numbers as fast as many iihag ned. Tnere
the waters manned by Americans. Many
OF these Ame leans were from Seattle and
the Coast,