The San Francisco call., 1904-02-03
CHAMPIONED BY SON
AT THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT

solution of the difficulties in both cases
would be reached.
In regard to the United States, Lord
Lansdowne said the Government had
endeavored to translate into practice
what it affirmed rather as matter of
principle in the French and Italian
treaties.
Commenting on the subject of the
Alaskan decision, Lord Lansdowne
said that. although the tribunal which
disposed of the Alaskan difficulty was
not, strictly speaking, arbitral, it's eff
forts illustrated the possibility of set
Ting. by other than diplomatic means
long standing dangerous international
differences. The condition 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 favor
able verdict.
Lord Lansdowne was inclined to find
some consolation in the fact that his
military and naval adviser were conf
dent that the two islands in Portland
Channel which had gone to the United
States were not of any strategical
value whatever.
Concerning the Russo Japanese dis
pute, Lord Lansdowne said il was an
axiom in diplomatic circles not to offer
good Offices until they were asked for.
Neither of the disputants had asked for
them. In fact, it was an open secret
that one at least of the disputants had
said that mediation was not desirable
at the present time. But should the op-
portunity offer. his Majesty's Govern
ment would gladly avail itself thereof.
The Thibet mission, said Lord Lans-
downe, was POLITICAL and not military.
1t was for the purpose of promoting a
more satisfactory arrangement for
friendly intercourse in trade.
Coming to the fiscal situation, Lord
Lansdowne said the policy recommend
ed by Chamberlain was not the policy
of the Government. and Balfour had
clearly defined the Governments poll
Icy. He (the speaker) did not conceal
his sympathy with Chamberlain aspi.
ration to draw the empire more closely
together and to put the affairs of the
nation on more business-like footing
If the reward of the success of such a
policy was great the punishment, Of
failure was irreparable and the Gov
eminent was only prudent in declining
to be rushed into siich proposals. In
conclusion, Lord Lansdowne said the
position of the Government was per-
fectly defensible and logical.
. The text of the amendment to the
address in the reply to the speech from
the throne, referred to by Sir Henry
Campbell ll-Bannerman in the House of
Commons, and which will be moved by
Morley in behalf of the opposition, is
as follows:
1t is our duty, however humbly, to
present to your Majesty that our eff
fective deliberation on financial SER
vices is impaired by conflicting declara-
tions from your Majesty's Minister'S
We respectfully submit the judg-
ment of this House that the removal
of protective duties has, for more than
half O. century, actively conduced to the
vast extension of ths trade and COM
merce of the realm and the welfare of
the population, and 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
injurious to the national strength, con-
tentment and wellbeing"