Year: 1877

EUROPEAN PEACE AND OTTOMAN INTEGRITY
been to maintain the peace or Europe and bring
about better government of the disturbed Prov
inccs without Infringing upon the independence
and integrity OF the Ottoman Empire


REJECTION OF THE PROPOSALS.


The proposals recommended by myself and allies
have not, I regret to say, been accepted by the
Porte but the result OF the Conference has been to
show the existence OF a general agreement among
the European Powers which cannot fail 10 have
material effect upon the condition and government
Of Turkey.


PRoLoNGATION OF THE ARxIsTICE.


Meantime the armtstce between Turkey and her
Princpalities has been prolonged and is still
pired, and may, l trust, yet lead TO the conclu-
SION OF an honorable peace. In these af1airs have
acted In cordial cooperation with my allies, with
whom, as with other foreign Powers, my relations
continue to be OF q friendly character The papers
on these subjects will be forthwith laid before you


THE TITLE OF EMPRESS OF INDIA


My assumption OF the imperial title at Debit was





professions Of anection and loyalty, most grateful
. to my feelings.


THE INDIAN FAMINE.


It Is with deep regret have to announce
a calamity in that part Of my dominions which
will demand the most earnest watchfulness on
she part OF my government there. famine not
less serious than that of 1873 has overspread a
large portion Of the Presidencies Of Madras and
Bombay. l am confident every resource will be
employed, not merely in the arrest OF this pres
ent famine, but in obtaining fresh experience for
The prevention or mitigation of such visitatIons
Tor the future.


PROGRESS OF THE COLONIES.


The prosperity and progress OF my colonial En-
pirc remain unchecked, although the proceedings
OF the government OF the Transvaal Republic and
the hostiities in which it has engaged with neigh
boring tribes have caused some apprehensions for
the safety of my subjects in South Africa.


trust. however. that the measures which have
taken will suftce to prevent any serious evil


THE ESTIMATES FOR THE YEAR.


Gentlemen of the House OF Commons-I have





and presented to you without delay.


MEASURES TO BE SUBMITTED


MY LORDS AND GExrLEMEN:-Bis relating to the
Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and for
amending the law as to bankruptcy and letters
patent for inventions will be laid before you. You
will be asked to constitute one Supreme Court OF
Judicature in Ireland and to confer an equitable
jurisdiction on the county courts OF that country.


GODS BLESSING INVOKED.


commend to you these and other measures
which may be submitted for your consideration, and
trust that the blessing Of the Almighty will attend
your labors and direct your efforts.


EARL GRANvnLE's SPEECH.


In the House Of Lords last night. during the
debate on the address to the Queen, Earl
Granville said he would defer criticism on
the Eastern question until he had read the
ofIlcial correspondence. He added, however.
he did not think the Treaty of Paris ought to be
abandoned. and that treaty imposed on the Powers
the duty Of protecting the Christians in Turkey.
EARL DERBY's REPLY.


The Earl Of Derby declared the policy OF the gov.
ernment was not changed. 1t was only modified be-
cause the situation was modified. He recapituated
the negotiations and defended the governments
conduct with regard to the Andrassy note and
the Berlin memorandum. He said :-sTt is too
soon to say the Conference Is nasco We
must speak with reserve Of the probability OF
the maintenance Of peace, which depends on
the decision Of single map, but hope peace
gain time. Russia and servia have become
reciprocally disenchanted with each other. The
Gear is now well able to say 1t is not incumbent
upon him to undertake alone the realization OF the
preciates the gravity OF the situation and wishes to
satisfy Europe. 1t is not Engand's duty to protect
the Porte in every eventuality.


Lord Derby recognized a moral obligation to in
tervcne in favor OF the Christians, but such duty
was not imposed by treaty.


ENGLAND OPPOSED TO FORCE.
Lord Derby declared that England's policy from
the first had been to press the recommendation of
tile Conference upon the Porte but not use or sane
tion the use OF force and at the same time not
undertake to protect Turkey from force used by the
Powers.


HOW FAR ENGLAND WILL LET RUSSIA 90
He explained that he did not mean our duty
should be naction under all possible circumstances;
as, for instance, II Constantinople should
be threatened. That was q question on
which 1t was quite unnecessary and
wholly unwise 70 pledge ourselves now
With regard to the Czar's assurances ne said.
though he Believed in the Cars sincerity. still
even the Czar might be compelled to act against his
personal wishes, and he declined to accept any
declarations as guarantee against war.