Birmingham age-herald., 1895-02-17
CuANBBRLAIN'S PROTEST Against the Frittering Away of Time iEParliament
 S BRINGS fs.' A DISCUSSION, In "hl the Government Is Scf k d-Politics-Congo
 6 Lands.
BRINGS fs. A DISCUSSION,

LONDON, Feb. 1s.--The debate on the amendment which Joseph Chamberlain in- troduced in the house of commons scored the government for frttering away tbe timo of parliament in the consideration of measures which the ministry has no expectation of passing while other vitaiIy important in at- ters requiring the imn ediate attention of the house and affecting the whole country are thrust into the background. In view of tbe ascertained fact that the virtually fixed majority of the government in the house IS now about eighteen, the ministera!ists feel assured that ii an unceasing watch is kept on the rauk and file 10 guard against surprise q business session can be pro- ceeded with until the anti lords resolution shall wind up the present parliament. The position of the government, too, may be further strengthened by the ParnelIite vote if the Irish land bill shall be in any degree satisfactory. Apart from the erudging support which has been opposition. the appeals of Arch bishops Crcke and Walsh for unity on the part of the Irish party against the common polit- ical foe has influenced the Parnelilte fsc- ton to feudal spirit which certainly must induce them to forget their local grievances 
 wing of the party.
 The anti Parnellites are also modifying their methods, as instanced In meeting of it's members held yesterday, at which a vote Of condolence for the family of the late Eugene Kelly was passed. This action showed conclusively that there was grow ing feeling of harmony among the mem- bers of the factone of the Irish perty, and the subsequent cordial conversation of the leading as well as the minor members of the respective groups attested the estab- lisment of better feeling, if not absolute entente.
 The position of MT. William O'Brien, who is anxious to retire from parliament and devote himself to literature and jour- pa{ism, and the successful issue Of the suit of Ex-Commoner Chance against him to recover 2490, the balance of the costs of Mir. O'Brien's action for libel against Lord Salisbury, has again raised a dispute be- tween MT. O'Brien and the committee of the Irish national party as to responsi- biIity for the costs of the action. The com mittee positively declines to pay the costs out of the party fund, but rather than loss his services in parliament to the cause of Ireland Mir. O'Brieu's friends have sigui. fled their readiness to subscribe the neces- sary amount if Mir. O'Brien will cousent to it's being raised in that way. h the mean time Mir. O'Brien has declined to express himselfin the matter, aud the un1onists, who had gleefully expected that damaging revelations would arise from the action, and that something to tue discredit of the Irish party would come ont of the contro- versy over tue payment of the costs, have been grieviously disappointed.
 The difference of opinion of experts in regard to the new rnles of the road at sea has led the government to accept Sir Don- aid Currie's suggestion in regard 10 the ap- pointmeut of a select committee Of the house oi commons to consider the matter. As the taking of testimony is likely to oc- cupy period extending over the whole mi, of rIt Wuan uf0 couven tion must wait until the parliament lary committee has concluded its labors.
 Dir Edward Gray, in his statement in tho house of commons last evening that any agreement made by Belgium giving Francs or any other power the right 10 pre- einpt territory in the Congo region without the consent of the great powers was not valid, and further stating That no such consent had been given, omitted to state an lin- portant fact-England addressed note 10 the powers inviting them to express their united objection to the conciusion of treaty giving the right to France to pre- empt Congo territory.
 The Congo state and the English foreign office appeal with confidence to Germany and Italy to join in a formal denial of French rights in the Congo country, while the French newspapers rejoice over the prospect of securing the Nile re2ious be- yond the Uganda. Iu the meantime En- glands agents are silently effecting an ac- tual occupation of the disputed territory. The questions involved iailed to draw the attention of the ministers in parliament, though it is known that & British expsdi- ton left Uganda six months ago with the avowed intention of taking possession Of as much of the country is possible.
 The latest phase of the anti-Turkish agitation has shown itself In an attempt to excite alarm over probable massacre of Christians in Constantinople. According to the Speaker, the months fast oi the Rimezan, the ninth month in the Mohame- dan year, will probably witness an out break iof fanaticisn, and it is represented that if the Russian and English fleets are not ready to make their appearances ut Con- stantinople at a moments notice the dan ger of Il. terrible slaughter willbe very great. Already, the paper asserts, no Euro pean lady dares to venture upon the streets of oonstaniinopie without danger of in- suit, and the Christian towns in the vilayet of Ismeed (anciently Nicomedia) in Asia Minor, are in constant fear of attack from the Turks. Volunteer guards are said to be watching these villages nightly and this alone gives the protection of the settlement 2 from destruction.
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