The herald., 1897-01-20

dinal principle of English policy"
Continuing the Leberal leader COM
mended the treaty of arbitration as
good example to the rest of the world
and expressed the opinion that it might
do something to relieve us of the sense
less armament which oppressed the
world
Sir William Harcourt then criticized
the advance of the Anglo-Egyptian ex-
pedition and asked for an explanation
from the government of it's Egyptian
policy. He dwelt upon the non-success
of the British policy in the east and urg-
ed that the government Should frankly
Cooperate with Russia.
He endorsed the report of the internal
commission on taxation in Ireland and
asked for discussion of it before the
estimates were prepared.
Mr.. Arthur Balfour the government
leader In the house of commons said that
he hoped, though it was limited to a
period of five years, the Anglo-American
arbitration would be a perpetual guar
antee Of peace between the two nations.
In view of the affinity Of the two races,
he felt some confidence that the sure
foundationlct 3 lasting peace had been
laid.
He admitted that the situation In
Egypt had caused great anxiety to both
British and foreign diplomats, but he de-
MED that 1t was the cause of increased
British armaments.
The marquis of Salisbury said that in
regard to Armenia the powers had agreed
that the present condition OF things must
be changed. but, he added, they also
feel deeply what terrible calamity a
European war would be.
Referring to the arbitration treaty
the marquis of Salisbury said 1t was not
claimed that 1t would avert the possi
bility of war, but 1t would render less
III tot
to create an excited feeling between ma
tions. The premier further explained
that It's principal value is that 1t is likely
to lead to other measures of the same
kind.
Touching upon the eastern question,
the premier said the powers were doing
their utmost to bring about remedies by
which the sultans empire might be
saved. They had generally agreed, he
added, that If the massacres continued
pressure would have to be applied. I.
was his own conviction that unless some
very radical reforms were adopted the
doom of the Turkish empire could not
be much longer postponed.
When business was resumed in the
house of lords. the Marquis Of Bath
moved the address in reply to the queens
speech. In SO doing he referred in glow
ing terms to the sixtieth anniversary of
their reign of Queen Victoria and to the
arbitration treaty with the United States
which he classes as being one of the
greatest and most illustrious attain
ments Of her ma1esty's reign.
Lord Kenyon seconded the address
and made similar reference to the arbi-
tration treaties. He added that the
Venezuela dispute was in a fair way to
settlement.
The Earl Of Kimberly, the Liberal lead
er in the house of lords congratulated
the Marquis Of Salisbury on the arbitra-
tfon treaty with the United States say
ing that 1t cannot fail to have great eff
feet throughout the world.
In the house of lords, the Marquis of
Salisbury, speaking of the arbitra ton
treaty concluded between Great Brit
ain and the United States, said:
II cannot speak as freely as desire
on the arbitration treaty because it has
not been ratified. But I do not think
there is reason to spend much effort in
convincing Lord Kimberly on the SUBJ
ject. He probably agrees with me as
heartily as anybody concerning the ad-
vantages such treaty may confer, and
! am bound to say I am picking up the
thread which fell from his hands about
two years ago. l can only observe that
you must not think we are indulging in
miillennial anticipatlons If we hope that
something will be done by the treaty
of arbitration to diminish the risk Of
war. l do not say 1t will remove the
greatest risks OF war do not say 1t will
restrain Napoleon or a Bismarck. But
diplomacy is full of an infinite number
of small differences which are caught
by the people and press of both countries
and II they are written up and exagger-
ated and enlarged, they tend to dimin-
ish the friendship between the coun-
tries and give birth to feeling of aliena-
atien and resentment.
The power of going Immediately to
tribunal to settle those things will pre-
vent process so injurious to the good
will of nations, especially between the
nations who understand each other, un-
fortunately too we'll that if we are not
friends we should be enemies.
But there is still a greater advantage
In the existence of arbitration system,
and that arises from the prevalence of
popular institutions in most of the coun-
tries of the world, where there are minis
ters who govern and members OF parlia-
ment and others who criticise them, and
this body generally contains one class
of whom l desire to speak with all re-
spect. They are known popularity as
jingoes. They are very patriotic and
their warmth OF patriotism sometimes
clouds their appreciation of details. But
they exist in all countries and you will
find that one of the principal subjects
which pre-occupies the minister is how
to furnish an account of the matter
which is satisfactory and soothing to this
very excitable portion of his critics 1t
is my belief that we'll working arbitra-
ton system will prove an Invaluable
bulwark to defend the minister from
such criticism.
1T would be impossible to accuse him
Of trifiing with the honor of the country
or surrendering a substantial advantage
If he could say that he had submitted the
matter to an impartial tribunal, and I'M
fortunately, the decision has been
against him. 1t is impossible not to feel
that ministers could negotiate with a
freer hand and more determination if
they were absolutely secured from dan
ger of such Interference.
II do not say this with reference to our
country because here, less than else
where, is minister's hand forced by
such"
Lord Salisbury then dwelt upon the
increased military burdens of the coun-
tries of the world and the danger that
the nations would rush into war in order
to end the sufferings
He concluded by saying: II do not say
that an arbitration system will end this,
but while the coil is growing it is our
duty to make an effort to devise some
system which will in some degree be
substitute for this ruinous necessity and
will apply to public war that remedy
which was applied to private war CEN
turtles ago.
II believe that the measure that we
have taken will be principally of value