The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-02-03
THE ST. PAUL GLOBE WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 8 1901


door and freedom to trade The sit
ting was suspended at 1880 p. m.
In the house of lords, after the in
PRODUCTION of new peers, Lord F'itz-
William (Liberal Unionist) moved the
address in reply to the speech from
the throne, which was seconded by
Lord Hylton Conservative.
Earl Spencer, the Liberal leader, fol-
lowed. He paid a tribute to the late
Lord Salisbury, the Duke of Devon
shire and Lord Lansdowne and alluded
to the situation in the far East. The
earl said he hoped the governments
friendly offices had been offered to
both powers, especially to Japan, and
asked for information from the govern
ment regarding Somaliland and Tibet,
and the situation in South Africa, to
which no reference. had been made in
the speechSfrom the throne.
Earl Spencer added that he hoped an
early decision in regard to the govern
ments policy on the fiscal question
would be reached, and announced that
the opposition would take every oppor-
tunity of bringing the question before
the country.
Lord Lansdowne responded. He con-
graduated the house on the conclusion
of the Anglo French and Anglo Italian
arbitration treaties, deplored the sit
uation in the near and far East, and ex-
pressed the hope that a pacific solution
of the differences in both cases would
be reached.
In regard to the United States, Lord
Lansdowne said the government had
endeavored to translate into practice
what is affirmed rather as a matter of
principle in the French and italian
treaties.
Commenting on the Alaska decision,
Lord Lansdowne said that although the
tribunal which disposed of the Alaska
difficulty was not, strictly speaking ar
bitral, it's efforts illustrated the posi-
bility Of settling by other than diplo-
matte means long standing, dangerous
international differences. The condi-
ton of Alaska might have brought
Great Britain into serious and acute
controversy with the United States.
The finding of the tribunal doubtless
was not entirely satisfactory to Great
Britain, but no one expected it to be
an entirely favorable verdict
Lord Lansdowne was inclined to find \
consolation in the fact that his military
and naval advisers were confident that
the two islands in Portland channel
which had gone to the United States
were not of any strategical value what
ever.
Concerning the Russo-Japanese dis
pute, Lord Lansdowne said 1t was an
axiom in diplomacy not to offer good
omceS until they were asked for. Mel
ther of the disputants had asked for
1t. But should the opportunity offer
his majesty'S government would gladly
avail itself thereof. The Tibet mission
was political and not military. It was
for the purpose Of promoting a more
satisfactory arrangement for friendly
intercourse in trade.
Coming to the fiscal question, Lord
Lansdowne said the policy recommend
ed by Mr.. Chamberlain was not the
policy of the government, and Mr. Bal
four had clearly defined the govern
ments policy. The speaker did not
conceal his sympathy with Mr. Cham
berlain's aspirations to draw the en-
pire more closely together and to put
the affairs of the nation on a more
businesslike footing. If the reward of
the success of such a policy was great
the punishment of failure was irrepara-
bic, and the government was only pru-
dent in declining to be rushed into
such proposals Lord Lansdowne said
the position of the government was
perfectly defensible and logical.
The text of the amendment to the |
address in reply to the speech from
the throne, referred to by Sir Henry
Campbell Bannerman and which will
be moved by Mr.. Morley on behalf of |
the opposition, is as follows:
1t is our duty, however hunbly, to |
present to your majesty that our eff
fective elaboration on financial serv-
ices is impaired by conflicting declara-
lions of your majesty's ministers. We
respectfully submit the Judgment of
this house that the removal of protec-
tive duties has for more than half a
century actively conduced to the vast
extension of the trade and commerce |
of the realm and the welfare of the |
population; that this house believes |
that while the needs for social improve |
ment are still manifold and urgent, any |
return to protective duties and more |
particularly when imposed upon the |
food of the people, would be deeply In |
furious tc the national strength, con- |
tentment and well being"