The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-09


furious to China herself Regarding the
immediate opening of Ta-Lien-Wan. said
his Lordship, "the Chinese council have in
formed us that it would embarrass them
much. For reason that 1t is not necessary
to enter into very closely and for their own
personal comfort and we'll being, they ex-
pressed the desire that we should not in
sist on the proposal. Whereupon 1 replied
that the proposal was not essential, though
we thought it advantageous; and / suggest
ed, a compromise, that the opening or
Ta-LienWan be deferred until the railway
reached the port. 1t is obvious to every
one knowing the country well that the
country behind Ta-Lien-Wan is practically
worthless. No trade could arise till the
railway reached the port. a few days aft
erward, Sir Claude Macdonald the Brit
ish minister at Peking) reported that the
compromise was accepted a condition of
the loan; and since then / have heard no
more about Ta-Lien-Wan. But / am bound
to say l am not very much interested. as
[ recently received from Russia a written
assurance that any port they obtain leave
TO employ as an outlet for their commerce
will be a free port for all the commerce of
this country. A free port is much better
than a treaty port; and thus, having ascer-
tanned that Ta-Lien-Wan was to be free
port. it interests us very little, indeed to
know whether it will be a treaty port or
not / may say that similar assurances
have been made us by the German govern
ment respecting the territory they recently
occupied. Indeed, the German government
went further and were more fattering to
us for the German ambassador told me
they had concluded that our manner of
dealing with such things was better than
theirs, and that in this instance at any rate
| they intended to initiate our methods. Re-
garding the loan hope in few days to lay
/ the papers on the table dealing with it, but
L warn the noble earl that the information
will be exceedingly scanty when it ap-
| pears"
| Turning to india Lord Salisbury declared
that the trouble with the Afrids were not
due to the occupation of the Chitral nor to
fanaticism, but to terror at the approach
of civilization. 1t was only intended to oc-
cupy such additional posts on the frontier
as competent military authorities deemed
| absolutely necessary. The address was
then adopted, after which the House of
Lords adjourned.
IN THE COMMONS.
On the resumption of business in the
House of Commons this afternoon the new
members took their seats. On a sessional
motion that peers and lord leutenants
| should not interfere in elections, Right Hon.
James Lowther, Conservative, member for
| the Isle of Thanet division of Kent moved
to amend by omitting the word peers"
| Sir Wilfred Lawson, Bart, Radical men,
ber for the Cockermouth division of Cum
berland. seconded the motion.
Mr.. Balfour admitted that it was true
! the house had no power to enforce the
| der, adding that unless invited by the OPP
| position leader, Sir William Vernon Har-
| court, to adopt another course, he would
vote against the amendment. The amend
ment was negatived by 319 to 100 votes.
Gerald BaIfour, the chief secretary for
Ireland, gave notice that on Thursday he
would introduce the local government bill
for ireland. After notices of the introduc-
ton of other bills had been given, Speaker
| Gully read the Queens speech, which had
| previously been read to both houses of Par
/ lament. The speech was then moved and
seconded. Sir William Vernon Harcourt,
the opposition leader, said the. government
could not complain that the house and
court were demanding explanations upon
many matters. When 100000 were in
arms in various parts. he added, they
could not congratulate themselves upon
Pax Britannia.
In reply to Sir William Vernon-Har-
courts general attack on the governments
! policy in the East, Mr.. Balfour spoke very
| briefly and to the same effect as Lord Sails
| bury had spoken in the House Of Lords,
| conveying the impression that the negotia-
| tions as to the Chinese loan were ended.
! He added that the government adhered to
the statements already made outside the
| House of Commons by the chancellor of the
exchequer, Sir Michael Hicks Beach, and
| himself, with respect to the protection of
the British treaty and commercial rights in
| China.
The morning papers. generally, praise
Lord Salisburys statement to the Chi
nese situation. The Daily News. the Liberal
| organ, gives him credit for 'surrendering
nothing and obtaining more than he asked"
1t was said in city circles yesterday that
| China had dropped all negotiations with the
powers for a loan Lord Salisbury was rath
| er reticent on the subject. Mr.. Balfour, how
ever said the negotiations had been practi-
cally in allegiance for several weeks, adding
that the Chinese did not now ask for money
and there was the end of it.
The Irish Parliamentary party met in
committee room No. /. Timothy M. Healy
and his supporters, who abstained from at
tending the party meeting previous to the
last session of Parliament, were present
Mr. Healy proposed Edmund Vesey Knox,
member from the city of Londonderry, as
chairman and Michael Davit proposed John
Dillon, who was elected by vote of "a
to IA.