The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1897-04-09
FREDERICK CITY Md FRIDAY MORNING. APRIL g. 1897
A VOTE OF CENSURE.
Harcourt's Opposition to the Brit
ish Cretan Policy
SALISBURY'S ACTION CRITICISED
The Liberals of the House of Common,
VIII Call the Government to Task
For Its Position In the Graeco-
Turkish Trouble.

London, April 6.-An important meet
ing of the leaders of the Liberal party
was held at the residence of Sir Will
liam Vernon Harcourt. the Liberal lead
er in the house of commons.
The parliamentary secretary for the
foreign office was asked several ques-
tions today in the house of commons on
the subject of Crete. He said that all
the powers excepting Germany would
be represented in Crete by military
forces and that all the powers without
exception would be represented in Gre
tan waters by naval force.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt, who
was loudly cheered when he rose to
speak, said he wished to ask whether
the government leader, Mr. Balfour,
could give the house the date upon
which the Turkish troops would be
withdrawn from Crete.
The Liberal leader asked whether the
government intended to employ the
forces of the crown In blockading
Greece and whether the government
could make statement in the house
on the situation in Crete and Greece
and its policy in relation thereto.
Mr.. Balfour, who was received with
loud ministerial cheers, said that the
government had, as Sir William knew.
represented to the Turkish government
the advisability of withdrawing the
Turkish troops from Crete and there
was no doubt this eventually would be
secured, but no date for it could be fix
ed, if for no other reason than because
at present there We're not sufficient
frnnnC n tha folo 10
sulman noncombatants from the con-
troll of the armed irregulars.
Referring to the proposed blockade of
the gulf Of Athens, MIR. Balfour said
that IL such a step is found necessary
IN order to maintain peace the govern
ment will not hesitate to join with the
other powers in blockading ureece.
In the meanwhile, continued Mr. Bal
four the powers We're making general
declaration at Athens and at Constan-
tinople whereby the maintenance of
peace might, he trusted be obtained
This declaration, Mr.. Balfour explain
ed, was in effect that in case OF a con-
flict on the fro4er the aggressor would
be held responsible for the consequences
of the disturbance of the general peace.
to which the powers attached the great
est Importance: further, whatever the
consequences of the struggle, they would
not consent to the aggressor deriving
the smallest advantage therefrom.
Commons Want Information.
Sir William Harcourt said the house
was very anxious for a full statement
from the government of the policy 1t
intended to pursue, and as the govern
ment leader CMr. Balfour) was not pre-
pared to make a statement on the sub
Ject he (Sir William HarcourD desired
to give notice of motion which would
secure a discussion of the situation for
the information of the house and coun-
try.
He would therefore move an address
to her majesty praying that the forces
of the crown be not employed against
Greece or the people of Crete.
Mr.. Balfour remarked that he desired
to be sure whether Sir William Harcourt
meant to raise a definite voice of CEN
sure against the government in regard
to its policy in the east, for if he did the
government was prepared to give
Thursday next for discussion, which
he hoped could be confined to the limits
of single night.
OlT w lHldHl I1dTCOuTI SalQ InaI at
present he was not in possession of in
formation as to whether the govern
ment intended to employ the crown
forces against Greece and the people of
Crete, therefore his motion was not a
vote of censure.
1t was simply intended to learn the
intentions of the government and OBJ
tain the opinion of the house as to
whether 1t would be wise and proper
policy to pursue.
The opposition. he continued, was of
the opinion that coercion was improper,
and it was prepared and anxious to
take the opinion Of the house on the
subject.
If Sir William Harcourt put the mo-
tion on paper, it would be further con-
sidered.
Sir William Harcourt retorted that
he would not put the motion on paper
before the government leader (Mr
BalfouD would say whether or not ne
would take the responsibility Of bring
ing the motion to a discussion.
The matter was then dropped amid
cheers from the Conservatives ana
counter cheers from the Liberals.