Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-23
COMMISSION UNNECESSARY Consensus of Opinion of the Un-
 ioniSt Members IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS Regarding the Plan for the Settlement of the
 Venezuelan Dispute MIR. THOMAS SEXTON HAS RESIGNED He Will Devote Himself to Directing the Freeman's Journal of Dublin-John
 Dillon Is Regarded as Being In-
 capacitated as Leader.
 
MIR. THOMAS SEXTON HAS RESIGNED

London, Feb. 22-The representative of the United Press spent three hours in the lobby in the house of commons yester- day sounding members of the house re- garding the plan for the settlement of the Venezuelan dispute, which George w. Smalley, the American correspondent of the Times, claims to have emanaied from the United States government. The concensus of opinion among the unionlst members was that the proposal to ap- point joint American-Angio commission was hardly necessary in the face or the position of affairs Among those inter- viewed was the Hon. Evelyn Hubbard, who was recently elected to represent the Lambeth division of Brixton. MT. Hubbard is a typical representative of the conservatives. He is the youngest son of the first Baron Addington. He Is a member of the firm of Messrs. John Hubbard & Co.,, Russia, merchants or St. Elehns place. and of Egerton, Hub bard & Co. of St. Petersburg; director of the Bank of England, a commissioner of public works loans, deputy lleuteh- ant for the city of London, ana since March last an alderman of the county council MT. Hubbard remarked that there was not much need of such com mission as that mentioned by MT. small ey for the reason that there was little doubt but that the matter would pc ami cably adjusted by direct negotiations be- tween Great Britain and Venezuela The commission appointed by President Cleveland further diminished the neces- sity for joint commission, as ne (Mr. Hubbard) anticipated that the findings of the former body would be such as to satisfy the British claims. Moreover, the friendly tone now prevailing on all sides would be certain to lead to result that would be acceptable to English ideas.
 Sir Ellis Ashmead Bartlett, conserVa- tive who is in favor of strengthening and extending the imperial power and commerce of the United Kingdom, said he was glad to see that both sides had adopted a more friendly tone, and that the spirit of jingosm had t1 disappeaireo aIarai tn terest had gone out of the case, as there was not now even a possibility of war. He expressed himself as being skeptical in regard to the appointment Of Joints commission, because the matter was sure to be settled amicably without such body. When asked if the findings Of the American high commission would De enough for Great Britain, he said he was not sure, adding: "Of course any honor able settlement would be acceptable 10 Great Britain, but Lord Salisbury couia not leave the settlement of British a1- fairs to the American commission New ertheless, it's findings might be satisfac- tory to Great Britain.
 The other members who were ques- tioned said that they preferred not to make a formal statement, owing to the appeal in the house of commons or the first lord of the treasury, Mir A. J. Bal four. that the members of the house would not discuss the policy which has been pursued by the government aneht the boundary dispute. These members, however. indicated their confidence Tn the persopnel and the procedure or the S American high commission, coupled with expressions of their firm bellef that tne findings of this commission would Just1Iy the British claims. ., n,an for the appointment of joint com mission and says it cannot believe that inc scheme cabled to the Times Dy MT. Smalley is the best that Washington can arrange There would be d1inculty re- garding the settled districts. In the event of their being not found to belong to Great Britain it thn nks that this country should pay to Venezuela for them sum to be fixed by arbitrators It says 1t does not think that such purchase would pc contrary to the Monroe doctrine whlle if would secure the seal to the British noint that British subjects must not be handed over to the tender mercies of the Venezuelans c, ID
 In regard to the case of George r. Knapp. one of the American m. ssionaries at Ritlis. who is accused by the porte Of having encouraged seditious movements among the Armenians and who will go tn Constantinople for trial, the repre- sentative of the United Press learns that for some time there have been charges made against him of melting and assist ing the ArmenanS to revolt against the norte. The charges are undoubtedly made for the purpose of forcing Mir Knapp to leave the country MT. Hampson. the British consul at Bitlis reported that the charges were absurd, but nevertheless MT Knapp was summoned before the criminal court to answer charge of con- spiracy. He telegraphed to the Hon. A. w Terrell American minister at Con- stantnople, asking him what he should do MT. Terrell replied, telling him not to obey the summons. and added that if he was in danger of arrest he had better stay in his house. Mir. Terrell then in- formed the porte that he would not allow MT Knapp to be tried in the manner pro- posed. Halil Rafael Pasha. the grand yizier answered that he could not stop the course of Jac. There Is some talk of an American commission going to Con- stantinople to examine into the affair.
 MT. Thomas Sexton, who on last Tues day made application for the steward ship of the Chiltern hundreds. which Is the form observed when member of the house of commons wishes to give up his seat in the house. has left London He will now devote himself to directing the Freeman's Journal of Dublin. The split in the ranks of the anti-Parne,Htes, since the refusal of MT. Sexton to accept the leadership of the party, has not dimin- ished.
 To suppose that John Dillon can ever be regarded as the leader of our race is grotesque absurdity. said one member. His admitted incapacity will plunge the movement into constant blunders.
 The mldp in the house of commons on Thursday last by the Rt. Hon. George Cursor, parliamentary sec -retary of foreign affairs. to the effect that Great Britain considered the pledge given by Russia in 1886 not to occupy Corea un- der any circumstances as still binding