The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-03-01
ENGLAND's HOUSE OF COMMONS.
The Herring Sea CIaim-GuatemaIa's
External Debt.

London, Feb. 2S.-In the House OF Com
mons to-day Sir George Baden Powell,
member for The Kirkdale division Of
Liverpool, asked il Sir Julian Paunce-
forte. the British ambassador at Wash
ington. had informed the government that
the United States House of Representa-
tives had rejected the proposition to ap-
propriate S425O00 as compensation for
British sealers under the award and find-
ing Of the Bering sea tribunal arbitra-
ton.
Sir Edward Gray. under foreign sec
retary, replied that he was not aware
whether the rejection of the proposition
was absolutely final. II it was the claims
made would have 10 be examined in de-
tail by commission in accordance with
the arrangement agreed upon before
the proposition to the House of Repre-
sentatives was made.
In reply to a question by William Ran
dan Creamer. member for the Haggerston
division Of Shoreditch. Sir Edward Gray
stated that the total OF Great Britains
expenditures in connection with
the arbitration Of the Bering
sea seal fisheries question was
E86 Gsl. and that this amount included
Canadas share of the expenses. The ac-
count with Canada, Sir Edward further
said, had not yet been adjusted.
In consequence OF the reply Of Sir Ed
ward Gray. Sir George Baden-Powell gave
notice of his intention to ask the govern
ment to arrange so that England and
Canada can jointly advance the amount
of the award to the sealors until the
United States congress can vote the
money. Otherwise there is no prospect
that the payment Of the award will be
effected until congress reassembles af-
ter the close Of the present session next
Monday.
Replying to William Frederick Law
renee, who represents the Aberoomby
division of Liverpool Sir Edward said
the attention Of the government had been
called to the fact that Guatemala was not
paying the interest on her external debt
Mr.. GosIing the British minister resi-
dent in Guatemala, he said, had been in
structed to inform the Guatemalan gov
ernment that a council of foreign hold
ers of the bonds Of Guatemala had
urged that a commissioner should be
sent Immediately from Guatemala to Eng
land to treat with the bondholders. Min
lister Gosling had also been instructed to
unofiicially recommend that Guatemala
arrive at some terms with her British
creditors.
James Bryce, president of the board
of trade, stated that an inquiry had been
started in Bremerhaven into the Circum-
stances Of the sinking of the steamer
Elbe. An inquiry conducted by the board
of trade would also be held in London
with the object Of ascertaining the causes
Of the damage to the steamer Crathie.
Sir Edward Gray, replying to questions
in regard to the Armenian inquiry, said
that the commission would occupy two
months more in finishing its labors.
Sir William Harcourt moved that gov
ernmeRt business fake precedence on
Tuesdays which day has hitherto been
devoted to private members bills. The
motion was carried by a vote of 286 to 22l.
The Welsh dis-estabhshment bill passed
its first reading in the House of Commons
this evening without a division. The
Irish land bill will be introduced in the
next few days.