The Portland daily press., 1897-04-06
Threats Of Liberal Leaders in Par.
ment.
SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT ASKS
FOR FURTHER IMPORTATION.


Prince Constantin Counsels Restr aint.
London, April b.-Replying to ques-
tion a. to the negotiations said to be in
progress between Greece and Turkey for
settlement Of the Csstan question, Mr..
Curzon, in the House of Commons TO-
day, saia that the governments had not
heard Of any direct negotiations between
Turkey and Greece on the subject Of
Crete. Sir William Vernon Harcourt
said be wished to ask whether the gov
eminent leader (Mr. Al. Balfour) could
| give the date upon which the Turkish
troops would be withdrawn from Crete.
(Ories of 'Oh'D Continuing, the Lib
sral leader asked whether the goyerns
mont intended to employ the forces of
the Grown in blockading Greece and
whether the governments could make
n stand in the House of Commons OH
the situation in Crete and Greece, and
its policy in relation thereto.
Mr.. Balfour. In reply, said the govern
ment had. as Sir William knew, repre-
sented to the Turkish government the
advisability Of withdrawing the Turk
ish troops from the island of Crete and
there was no doubt this eventually would
be secured but no date for it could be
nxed, II for no other reason than be-
cause, at present, there were not sufio-
lent troops on this island to protect the
NussulInan uon-com batants.from the con-
troll of the regulars. In conclusion, Mr.
| bnlfour remarked that he thought the
House was already i'll possession of all
the material relevant facts, both as re.
CARDS Crete and the policy of the govern
hent for preserving peace on the main-
land, and he could not, at present add
anything with advantage.
Sir William Harcourt said the House
was very anxious for full statement
from the government of the policy it in
| tended to pursue He would therefore
move an address to Her Majesty pray
Ing that the forces of the Crown be not
employed against Greece or the people
| Of Crate.
/ Mr.. balfour said that he desired to be
sure whether Sir William Harcourt
meant to raise definite vote of censure
against the government in regard to its
| policy In the east, for If he did, the gov
ernment WAS prepared to give Thursday
next for a discussion which he hoped
csuld be confined to the limits Of a
said, Sir William Haroourt desired to
raise the Issue involved and move vote
Of censure, the government would give
him Thursday. but not otherwise.
Sir William darcoUrt said that at pres
ent he was not in possession Of informa-
tion as to whether the government in
tended to employ the Grown forces
against Greece and people Of Crete, there
fore his motion was not q vote Of GEN.
| sure.
The opposition, he continued, was of
the opinion. that coercion was not proper
and 1t was prepared and anxious Co take
the opinion of the House. But the real
objects of the motion were to obtain the
full statement OF the government'sp poll
oy. (Oh, oh.) II Mr.. Bnltour had
answered the statement he made on the
subject, he (Sir William) would not have
given notice Of his motion. 1t was inn
possible for him to say whether this was
a vote Of censure or not Conservative
lauahtsr), but the question was OF the
be discussed by the House before it sepa-
rated for the Easter recess.
Mr.. Balfour replied that 1t WAS impos-
sible for any debate to extract further
i information from fths government:.than
mad already been given. However, II Sir
William Haroourt put the motion on pa
per it would be further considered. Sir
|
the motion on paper befors the govern
ment leader (Mr. Balfour) would say
whether or not he would take the re-
sponsibility Of bringing the motion to a
disoussion.
The matter was then droppedIamid
cheers from the Conservatives and ooun.
ter cheers from the Liberals.
Liberal Leaders Consult Together.
London, April 5.-An Important meet
ing of the leaders Of the Liberal party
was hald at noon today at the residence
Of Sir William Vernon Harcourt, the
} Liberal leader In the House of Commons
They discussed for an hour the Attitud.
which they would assume in the event o1
the warships of Great Britain taking
part in the projected blockade of Athens
Admirals VIII Inquire.
Oanea, April 5.-Ths admirala have de
cided to make an official inquiry az Il
, whether the garrison at Eelino rearmec
after the evacuation were refugees from
Candamo. who had been disarmed
J There are NOW i've Thousand rifles at th,
; Turkish government depot.
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