The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-02-08
BRITAIN'S FOREIGN AFFAIRS

LORD SALIsBURY'S STATEMENT IN
| HOUSE OF LORDS.
Acquisition of Territory in China Not
Comtcmplated-No Nation VIII be AL
lowed to Compromise Rights of British
Subjects Great Britain's Right to the
| Soudan IncOntestibIe.
| London, Feb. 1.-THE features of the
opening of parliament to-day were the
reading of the queens speech and the
statement of Premier Salisbury con-
cerning foreign affairs. The speech has
| been well forecasted in these Dispatch
es. The Earl of Kimberly, the liberal
| leader in the house of lords, made a
speech during which he asked for fur
ther information regarding the govern
ment's intention in the Soudan and in
China, and regarding the czars dis
armament proposals. His lordship also
referred with great satisfaction to the
meeting of the Venezuelan arbitrators
in Paris.
The premier Lord Salisbury, followed
Lord Kimberly and referred at length
to China. He said the policy of her
majesty's government did not contem-
plate the acquisition Of territory in
China or the dismemberment of the
Chinese empire. The destiny of China,
his lordship added, was as impossible
to foretell as it was to reveal what was
occurring on certain island and within
certain palace at Pekin. All that
her majesty's government was concern
ed in at present was to see that the
treaties are fully observed; that the in
terests of British subjects are safe
guarded, and that nothing is done by
either China or any other nation to
compromise their rights. Referring to
the Soudan, the premier said that Great
Britain held it by the title arising from
the fact that the Soudan formed part
of the territories of Egypt and also by
the less complicated and more easily
understood title of conquest Any re-
vival of the claims of titles which
events had swept away could not be
sustained by historical precedent or in
ternational law.
SO far as the czar's disarmament pro-
posalT was concerned Lord Salisbury
said no one could doubt the purity and
of the emperor's motives. "I
should heartily rejoice" he continued,
IF the conference achieved an humber
aim and if by the steady use Of the
of arbitration we might be able
to diminish number of the cases by
which war Is produced. If by humane
legislation we could also diminish the
horrors Of war, we would render an i'm
service to humanity Mean
while, we must follow the example of
other nations and be prepared for war
do not believe this is imminent; but |
the causes of war still subsist; and
while doing our best in the mission of
peace, we must maintain the position |
IF security which past generations have
given US and which we hope to keep
Lord Salisbury remarked that he fire.
1uently envied a nation possessing a
committee of foreign relations, like the
United States, a commission which
'ould secretly reserve explanations that
minister's were only too glad to give
But as Great Britain was without that
eature of parliamentary government it
would be impossible for him to give the
lobe lord, (Early of Kimberly, all the
he desired. The agreement
between Germany and Great Britain,
however, was of character favorable
o friendship between the two nations
md to the right of all concerned, as
veil as to the peace of the world But
e, fhe premier), would not be doing his
Iuty if he gave further details as to
he stipulations, which for the present
equired no action on the part Of Great
During debate in the house of COM
rcns Mr.. Bagot said he was pleased to
lotice that bonds of mutual interest
Ind linship between this country and
america have by recent events been
lrawn closer" He added: "An alliance
etween the two great English speaking
Peoples neel not necessarily be one of
ffnse and lefence, but might be one
hat would pc admirably fitted to lead
he nations OF the world in the direction
# freedom, civilization and progress"
Cheers)
Arthur Balfour, first lord of the treas
ry and government leader in the house
eplied to Sir Henry Campbell Banner u,
1an's criticisms of the governments
olicy. Neither speech contained any
oints of special interest, thought both
ealth largely with the relations be-
ween France and Great Britain, Mr.. I
,alfour remarking that there was no
eason why the present peaceful rela-
ions should not be permanent. After ;,
everal other speeches the house of !.
adjourned
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