The herald., 1896-06-13
PARLIAMENT AND CONGRESS
Considering Politics and Bust.
ness of Great Britain
THE CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT
May Include More Than the Defense Of
Kassala
THE CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT
British Commercial Congress Recommends the
Metric System Of Weights and Meas.
ures and q Decimal Currency
Associated Press Special Wire.

LONDON, June 1.-THE Marquis Of
Salisbury in the house of lords today,
replying to Lord Rosebery, said for a
long time he had been of the opinion
that sooner or later it would be neces-
sary to take steps to reclaim for Egypt
the territory lost in 1882 and 1884. Many
reasons counseled delay, but the gov
ernment was suddenly confronted by
the fact that Kassala was threatened.
There was every probability that it's
fall would be followed by frightful cat
astrophe. The expedition up the Nile,
he continued, was ordered because the
government felt the interests Of Egypt
were at stake and those of Italy affected.
The occupation Of Dongola, the mar
quis pointed out, would increase Egyp-
tian commerce and prevent the incur
sions of dervishes.
The premier said that Sir Herbert
Kitchner had been instructed not to go
beyond Dongola, but up to that point
the sirdar had free hand.
Finally the Marquis Of Salisbury
stated that he did not pledge the gov
ernment to forward troops beyond Dom
COLA this year, next year or any other
year. "Our objective point" he added.
"is now Dongola, but 1t may be that we
or our successors will be prepared to go
further. In my opinion we shall not
have restored Egypt to the position in
which we received her and shall not
have placed her in the position of safety
which is due her until the Egyptian flag
floats over Khartoum''
The congress of chambers Of COM
merce of the British empire today adopt
ed a resolution declaring 1t expedient for
the British government to endeavor to
secure the consent of foreign powers to
the withdrawal of the proposed sound
signals for use in fog. adopted at the
Washington conference. This system
Of signals is condemned as dangerous
and useless.
Resolutions were adopted favoring the
extension Of the Canadian decimal sys-
tenn of currency to other portions Of the
empire, and the adoption of the metric
system of weights and measures.
The following are. the resolutions
adopted by the chambers Of commerce
Of the British empire regarding the
adoption of the metric SYSTEM:
Whereas, The British currency sys-
tenn of pounds, shillings, pence and
farthings is source of constant annoy
ance and loss Of time to the trade, espe-
cially to the foreign trade, who have
adopted a decimal system: and
Whereas, The system Of dollars and
cents now covers the whole of the North
American continent, with a population
Of seventy millions English speaking
people; be it
Resolved, That the Canadian deci-
NAL system Of currency which answers
all purposes be extended to the other
portions Of the British empire, the pound
sterling to be equal to IS and the shilling
to 25 cents. n
Whereas. The British system of
weights and measures, which vary con-
stantly In every parNof the British em-
pire, is a source of constant annoyance.
loss of time and formidable obstacle
to local, imperial and foreign trade;
Whereas. The metric system has now
been universally recognized as the most
perfect decimal system and generally
adopted by nations Of both continents,
with the exception of the British empire
and the United States of America; be it
Resolved. That the metric system Of
weights and measures be adopted with
out further delay by the several govern
ments Of the empire, the yard being ex-
tended to the metre, the quart to the Ii
tire and the two-pounds weight to the
kilogram." ~
After resolution expressing the con-
gress to be infavor Of closer connection
between the governments and the cham
bers Of commerce had been adopted. the
congress adjourned.