Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-04
AN ABLE DEFENCE
Of Great Bs'itain's Position With the
Foreign Powers.

London, July 3.-When the vote for
the foreign officers came up in the
House of Commons, this afternoon,
the governments foreign policy came
in for considerable criticism. Sir
Charles Dixie, advanced RadicaD,
said he wanted to know if there had
been any real negotiations with France
looking to the settlement of the
French shore New Foundland) dis
pute and he further declared that
British recognition of French rights to
the Hinterland of Tripoli endangered
the traditional friendship Of Great
BritainSand Italy. The new arrange
ments between France and Italy, he
further asserted, had entirely upset
the British situation in the Meditcr-
ranean and eastern Europe. They had
been made in order to put the screws
on Great Britain. The feebleness of
the governments policy in China
shower the absence of a presiding
mind.
Sir Charles also referred to the hos
tility to Russia involved in the
Japanese alliance and he advocated
that clear definition of the respective
interest of Great Britain and Russia
could possibly be secured by some sort
CT an agreement with the Car himself
Continuing, Sir Charles asked If
there was any secret Understanding
with Germany regarding her access
to the Persian gulf and urged the tos-
tering if friendship with France.
Sir Charles concluded with moving
a reduction of the salary of the .or-
eign secretary, Lord Lansdowne.
Thomas Gibson Bowles, Conservative.
seconded the motion. He said he re-
GREETED the subserviency of the foreign
office towards Germany, declaring that
she was the disturbing influence in
China and that Emperor Williams
telegram to Mr.. Kruger was largely re-
sponsible for the feeling Which pro-
duced the Boer war.
Henry Norman, Liberal, wanted to
know if the government realized that
Germany had practically secured eX-
elusive rights in the Shan Tung PENN
sula and Russia had a complete mo-
nopoly of the enormously valuable
mines of Mongolia.
| During the course Of a general reply,
the under secretary for the foreign
| office, Lord Cranborne, declared that
! the great questions affecting New
! Foundland were not being allowed 20
sleep. They were perpetually before
| the foreign office of both countries. The
| government would be exceedingly glad
| TO settle the New Foundland question
but it was difficult because of a COM
plexity Of interests over which the
British government had no control.
Regarding Russia, Lord Cranborne
/ : 80 ,,1+ Of woo f
ain that an understanding between
| them had not been reached.
| The question of the relations between
| Great Britain and Italy was very I'M
portant,. continued Lord Cranborne.
Great Britain had no designs on Trl-
| poll She was only anxious 10 mann
tain the status quo and intended TO ad-
here to treaty obligations concerning
| Tripoi as well as other matters.
The agreement with Japan. Lord
| Cranborne asserted, was founded on
mutual interests. Therefore, it has
| been a strong foundation, Lord Gran
| borne further remarked. that he did not
| believe China was likely TO be misled
nv the advances of various powers. She
knew it was the true policy of Great
| Britain to maintain the integrity OF
| China and increase her resources.
| Lord Cranborne quoted the denial of
| the German imperial chancellor, Count
| Won Buelow, that Germany had eX-
elusive rights in Shen TunS and
claimed therefore that the door re-
! manned Open
| AS to a Russian concession in the
| Peiho valley, the government, said
Lord Cranborne. was not in a position
to say that Russia was not entitled to
n concession, but. when it came to the
| question of the site and area thereof
Great Britain had a deal to say and
| said it with considerable effect.
AS to the Chinese indemnity being a
gold debt. the government, Lord Gran
borne declared. could not secede from
its position but sympathized with
China and some ameliorations might be
granted. 1t was hopeless to expect the
total abolition of the Likin stations in
China but it was confidently hoped to
be able by a fiscal arrangement to re-
leve foreign trade of this enormous
burden.
MASSASOIT LEADS