The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-15
ENeLAND's NAVAL DEFENSE.
The Liberal Government Not to Allow
It to Detariorate.

London, Dec. 14.-In the House Of Com
mons to-day A. j. Balfour. leader of the
opposition in the House, asked what
course the government proposed taking
in regard to Lord George Hamilton's
motions on the condition Of the navy.
Mr. Gladstone said the government rec
ognized its duty to meet the motion with
out delay, and he would therefore assign
Tuesday next for its discussion He
would propose an amendment declaring
in effect that it was the primary duty Of
the government to make ample provision
Tor naval defence, and that the House
relied upon the ministry to submit pro-
posal in due time to secure that end Mr.
Gladstone's remarks were greeted with
cheers.
In reply to a question asked by Mr.
Sexton, Mr. Gladstone announced that
the House would adjourn Dec. 20, for
the Christmas holidays and resume its
sittings on Dec. "a.
Joseph Chamb berlain, leader of the lib
eral unionists, spoke at Braintree this
evening. Home rule was the sole aim Of
the government, he said. British legisla-
tion was merely counter with which MIR.
Gladstone hoped to win the game. The
government did not mean that any
British measure should pass. The bills
were put in the window merely for
show and nobody should be sanguine
! enough to expect, If he should enter the
! shop, TO obtain any of them. The pro-
moters of the parish councils bill had de-
liberately overloaded their vessel with
the intention of sinking it. The govern
meat had found it good policy to keep
bills in suspense and thus supply a
motive for quarreling with the House of
Lords
Sir John Dorington, conservative, moved
the adjournment of the house In order to
discuss Mr. Gladstone's proposal as to
Christmas holidays. Sir John declared
that the strain imposed upon the
members by the continued sittings
had become intolerable There ought to
be long recess at the holidays. The
whole opposition supported Sir Johns
motion.
MIR. Gladstone said he was opposed to
the House adiourning. The choice of the
government lay between abandoning or
forwarding the parish councils bill. There
was nothing unreasonable In asking the
House to expedite the measure. The
shortest possible recess was necessary.
Mr.. Balfour said that the course pro-
posed by the government was without
precedent. IL was fallacy for MIR.
Gladstone TO say that the issue Of the
government was to drop the bill or pro-
ceed with it. The real question was
whether the government, In order to
trample down the opposition, should
do what had never yet been
done, coerce body OF men
differing with it in principle, but
little difference in number, and IN resolu-
tion not at all. This statement evoked
cheers from the opposition benches. MIR
Balfour said the bill might be passed in
stages distributed over two or three Sos
sions. There would not be found In the
history OF parliament any set Of gentle
men responsible for the government Of a
country so stupidity obstinate as TO insist.
Sir Henry James said that the bill was
less meant TO help the agricultural classes
in England than TO assist in the passage
of the home rule bill.
After Messrs. Hobhouse, Long and
others had spoken, Mr.. Gladstone moved
that closure be applied. This motion was
carried by vote of 165 TO 1l6. The mo-
tion to adjourn was then rejected.