Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-02-23
HARcoURT FOR FREEDOM.
Advocates Crete Being Separated From
the Ottoman Empire.

Advocates Crete Being Separated From
the Ottoman Empire.
London, Feb. 22.-In the house of COM
mons today Mr.. La Bouchere, radical,
moved to adjourn with view of avoid
ing discussing the situation in Crete and
the motion was seconded by Mr.. John
Dillon, the leader of the Irish national
party.
Right Hon. J. A. Balfour, first lord of
the treasury and the government leader
in the house, opposed the motion and in
the course of his remarks said that there
was absolute unanimity among the pow
ers to avoid war. When they saw the
masters of the colossal armies of Eu-
rope moved with the deepest anxiety lest
war should be declared, surely it was not
for authorities upon international af-
fairs like Mr.. La Bouchere and Mr.. Dill
lon to say that such fears were illusory.
(Cries of Oh, Oh)
The united forces were responsible for
peace and the naval action which they
took at Canea yesterday was forced upon
them in the interests of peace.
Mr.. Balfour expressed hope that de-
bate on Mr.. La Bouchere'S motion would
stop where it was, as it would not serve
the interests of Europe, nor would 1t
benefit Greece or Crete.
Sir William Harcourt, leader of the op-
position, said that the country ought to
know whether the government were act
ing upon their old formula, the integrity
of the Ottaman empire, and If they were
doing so, he protested against 1t. To
detach Crete from the rule of the Turk
was the only policy worthy OF Great
Britain, and he hoped that such policy
would be pursued. The liberals in the
house of commons, he declared, would
policy until the emancipation of Crete
was accomplished. To take up arms
against a people who were rightfully
fighting for their freedom would not be
tolerated by the country.
Prior to the introduction of La Bou-
chere's motion to adjourn, Mr.. George H.
Curzon, under foreign secretary, stated
that the proclamation issued by Col. Vas
SOS, commanding the Greek troops in
Crete, had promised peace to the inhab-
itants of the island. So far, however,
the presence of the Greek troops in Crete
had had an opposite effect and 1t was ex-
tremely unlikely that the poyers would
delegate Greece the duty of keeping
peace between the Moslems and the
Christians in that island. The interna-
tion but to forcibly prevent the insur-
gents from making an attack upon
Canea, as they had done yesterday.
(Cries of "Oh." and "Shame.')
Mr.. H. Campbell Bannerman, who was
secretary of state for war in the minis
house be furnished with a copy of the
instructions which had been given to the
admiral commanding the British war
ships at Canea and said that the house
would be glad to know whether his in
structions bound him to do anything
which the concerted European powers
directed.
Mr.. Balfour said he would inquire
whether the instructions forwarded 10
the British admiral could be produced
He would say, however, that the admiral
was not bound to act with the other
powers against his own judgment.
| Sir Charles Dixie, LIBERAL said that
the Greeks had reason to believe that
Great Britain had twice led the. concert
of Europe to prevent them getting what
they would otherwise have obtained. The
feeling of tbs country, he declared, was
almost unanimously on the side of the
Greeks.
Mr.. La Bouchere's motion was rejected
by vote of 243 to 125