Candidates for the Army Medical Ser- | which have recently been laid before the vice, together with the evidence taken? House. From those Returns it appears COLONEL STANLEY, in reply, said, that "The majority of railway carriages it was true that the Committee referred fitted with brakes during the year 1878 to had recommended that open competi- were supplied with brakes which do not tion, to the extent of one-half, for ap- comply with the conditions stated by the pointments of medical officers should be Board in August, 1877, to be essential discontinued, and that a system of no- to safety," and, consequently, that "all mination should be substituted. Each the Railway Companies have not comnomination was to be, however, from plied with the requirements of the Board the Medical School. He had no objec- of Trade as regards the use of contion to lay the Report upon the Table; tinuous brakes ;" and, further, that the but with regard to the reply of the Board of Trade have no reason to Board of Examiners, though in the con- believe that the Railway Companies cluding paragraph they requested pub- are taking active measures to carry licity to be given to it, it was somewhat those conditions into effect.” It is, contradictorily marked "confidential." however, only fair to mention that He would therefore have to communicate one Company has entirely, and others with them on the subject; but there was have partially, adopted brakes which no doubt that it would be laid on the comply with the conditions laid down Table. by the Board of Trade. I greatly regret not to be in a position to report a more satisfactory state of things. The matter is one of very serious importance, and we are now considering how it can best be met. When the House meets after the Christmas Recess further Returns on this subject will be laid before them, as required by the Continuous Brakes Act of last Session, and we will not fail to give to Parliament as early an intimation as we can RAILWAYS-RAILWAY BRAKES. QUESTIONS. MR. BAXTER asked the President of the Board of Trade, If it is true that the majority of railway carriages fitted with brakes during the year 1878 were supplied with brakes which do not comply with the conditions stated by the Board in August 1877 to be essential to safety, and embodied in the recent Act of Parliament; and, if so, if he will adopt measures with a view of discouraging useless expenditure upon brakes which have been condemned, and of compelling the Railway Companies to take the necessary steps for the prevention of serious danger to the public? MR. D. TAYLOR asked the President of the Board of Trade, If all the Railway Companies have complied with the requirements of the Board of Trade as regards the use of continuous brakes as specified in their Circular of 30th August 1877; and, if not, if he has reason to believe the Railway Companies are taking active measures to carry them into effect? MR. J. G. TALBOT: Sir, perhaps the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Montrose and the hon. Member for Coleraine will allow me to give one Answer to their two Questions. All the information the Board of Trade has with regard to continuons brakes is contained in the Returns with regard to that matter of the adopt. course which we propose to MR. BAXTER gave Notice that he should renew his Question as soon as the House met after the Christmas Recess. AFGHANISTAN COST OF MILITARY SIR HENRY HAVELOCK asked the Under Secretary of State for India, If any estimate has yet been framed of the cost per month, or for any other period, of the measures taken in India for carrying on the Afghan War; and, if no such estimate exists, whether he sees any objection to having one prepared and laid upon the Table of the House? MR. E. STANHOPE: Sir, I wish to appeal to the courtesy of the hon. and gallant Member to allow me to postpone any answer to his Question until I make my Statement on Monday next, when I will give to the House all the information we possess on the subject, Votes. Therefore, so far as the expense INDIA-AUGMENTATION OF THE MILI- incurred for the financial year goes, TARY FORCES.-QUESTION. SIR HENRY HAVELOCK asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether the proposed increase to the Native Army of India will include any addition to the number of British Regimental Officers; and, if not, whether he can give the House any information as to the grounds on which such decision has been arrived at; and, whether the General Commanding in Chief in India and His Royal Highness the Field. Marshal Commanding in Chief have been consulted on the subject? were we shall be better off than we MR. CHILDERS asked, If the right hon. Gentleman could give the particulars of the items on which there would Go-be an excess? MR. E. STANHOPE: Sir the vernment of India have made no recommendation for any increase of the number of English regimental officers. No opportunity has, therefore, arisen for consulting His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge on the subject. I presume that whatever decision is come to on the subject by the Governor General in India will be upon the advice of his responsible military advisers. SOUTH AFRICA-EXPENSES OF THE WAR.-QUESTION. MR. WHITWELL asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can now state what he could not state last Session, how the Government proposes to provide for the expenses that have already been incurred and which may arise out of the war in South Africa? THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: Sir, I am afraid that I cannot at present answer the most important part of the hon. Gentleman's Question, with regard to the expenses that may arise. I can add, to some extent, to the Answer which I gave last year with regard to the expenditure to the time of making up the financial estimate for the year. I informed the House that I had reason to believe that there would be an excess upon the accounts of the year 1877-8 in consequence of the war expenditure at the Cape, and I made some allowance for that amount. I am happy to say that, as far as we have gone in making up the accounts for the year 1877-8, we have reason to think that any excess that there may have been on that Vote will be fully covered, and THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER: No, I have not got the particulars; but it will not exceed the amount stated last Session. POOR LAW-DEPORTATION OF IRISH POOR.-QUESTION. રી MR. M'CARTHY DOWNING asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether it is his intention to introduce in the present Session Bill to amend the Laws regarding the removal of the destitute poor receiving relief from the poors' rates from one kingdom to another in the United Kingdom; and, whether he intends to deal with the Law of Settlement, with the view of abolishing or amending the same? MR. SCLATER-BOOTH: Sir, in reply to the Question of the hon. Gentleman, I have to state that the subject is under the consideration of the Government; and they hope to be able to make some proposal with reference to it within the present Session, sometime after the Recess. The Resolution of last year come to by this House has been undergoing careful consideration; but there are many difficulties in the way, and these I cannot enter on. I can only repeat the promise I have already given -that the matter is under our consideration, and we will deal with it as soon as possible. ISLAND OF CYPRUS-MR. DI CESNOLA. QUESTION. SIR CHARLES W. DILKE asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign ARMY (INDIA) - OFFICERS' SICK MAJOR O'BEIRNE asked the Under Cesnola, an American citizen, was tried | stantinople is allowed by Her Majesty's for an offence against Turkish law in Government. There is no Corresponddigging up objects of antiquarian in- ence whatever with any foreign Goterest without a Firman, by the district vernment in regard to jurisdiction in Court of Larnaca in Cyprus; whether Cyprus. the Court was presided over by a Turkish Cadi, assisted by an English assessor; whether Mr. di Cesnola was sentenced to a fine, afterwards remitted by Sir Garnet Wolseley, and the confiscation of the objects found pronounced by the Court; whether the latter portion of the judgment was carried into effect; whether any protest was made by Mr. di Cesnola against the jurisdiction of the Court; whether Turkish sovereignty continues to exist in Cyprus; and, if so, what power there is to try foreigners, not being British subjects, in disregard of the capitulations; whether appeals from the Courts in Cyprus to Constantinople will be allowed by Her Majesty's Government; and, whether there exists any Correspondence upon the subject of jurisdiction in Cyprus? MR. BOURKE: Mr. di Cesnola, who described himself as an American citizen, was tried, on the 23rd of October, before the Court of the Medjliss Davi at Larnaca, assisted by an English assessor. The Court was presided over by a Turkish Cadi, assisted by an English assessor. Mr. di Cesnola was sentenced to a fine, afterwards remitted by Sir Garnet Wolseley, and the confiscation of the objects found was pronounced by the Court. The latter portion of the sentence was carried into effect. Mr. di Cesnola protested against this. As to whether Turkish sovereignty continues to exist in Cyprus, I must refer the hon. Baronet to the Convention on this subject. [Laughter.] I hope the hon. Baronet does not think that I mean any discourtesy by that answer. [Sir CHARLES W. DILKE: No, no.] It is the best answer I can give. In regard to jurisdiction in Cyprus, I have to state that, pending arrangements which are now in progress, I hope this point will very soon be completed. Every precaution is taken to secure a fair trial to any foreigner who is charged with any offence. SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT: Have negotiations been concluded? MR. BOURKE: Arrangement is a better word. There is no negotiation going on between the Porte and Her Majesty's Government. With regard to appeals, no appeal from Cyprus to Con Secretary of State for India, Under what Indian regulations Officers of the British Service, ordered to England from India on medical certificate, have to pay their for conveyance of baggage from Portsown travelling expenses and expenses mouth to London, and do not receive detention allowance whilst waiting in London till the Medical Board assembles; whereas Officers of the same Service, arriving home from any other foreign station are paid their travelling and receive detention allowance until the expenses from Portsmouth to London Medical Board assembles? MR. E. STANHOPE: Sir, I am imformed that the Government of India have never required officers coming to England on sick leave to appear before a Medical Board on arrival. Accordunder other than Indian regulations and ingly, expenses incurred by such officers for other than Indian regiments have not been admitted as a proper charge against Indian revenues. Office Regulation to which the hon. and gallant Member refers has been abolished as regards India and the Colonies. The War CHINA-THE CHEFOO CONVENTION. QUESTION. MR. EVELYN ASHLEY asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether anything has been yet settled with regard to the 3rd clause of the 3rd section of the Chefoo Convention; and when the Papers relating to this subject will be presented to the House? MR. BOURKE : Sir, nothing is as yet settled with regard to the clause in question. Sir Thomas Wade is visiting India on his way to Pekin to confer with the Viceroy on the subject, and it is hoped the Convention will soon be completed. Further Papers will be laid on the Table when a final arrangement has been arrived at, PEACE PRESERVATION (IRELAND) ACT, 1875-DONEGAL.--QUESTION. MR. O'DONNELL asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether the districts of Donegal proclaimed under the Coercion Acts (Ireland) on the occasion of the murder of the late Earl of Leitrim are still proclaimed districts? MR. J. LOWTHER: Sir, the districts referred to by the hon. Member were placed, by Order of Council, dated April last, under proclamation, and that Order still remains in force. MR. O'DONNELL: Then, Sir, I beg to give Notice that I shall call attention to the matter on going into Committee of Supply. ADJOURNED DEBATE. [THIRD NIGHT.] Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Amendment proposed to Question [9th December], "That the said Address be now read a second time." And which Amendment was, To leave out from the word "That" to the end of the Question, in order to add the words "this House disapproves the conduct of Her Majesty's Government which has resulted in the War with Afghanistan,"—(Mr. Whitbread,) -instead thereof. Question again proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Question." MR. GRANT DUFF: There is a passage in Holy Writ which the learned now tell us is mistranslated in our version, but which has passed into current use in the form in which it there ap"O that mine adversary had pears written a book!" If, Sir, there are any nations which wish us ill-if, above all, it be true, as some appear to believe, that there is a great nation lying between Asia and Europe whose statesmen spend their time in little else than in scheming against us-those nations, or that nation, need not say “O that mine, or our, adversary had written a book." We have written a book, and written one with a vengeance. Some such reflections, I think, must have occurred to the mind of most people who have read the astonishing document which the India Office put forth a fortnight ago, for seldom, I suppose, has there been seen so wonderful a revelation. There stand for all eyes to see those astounding Instructions with regard to sending a special Mission to Cabul which Lord Salisbury gave to Lord Northbrook; there stands Lord Northbrook's reply, which it can hardly have been agreeable to receive; there stand, in page after page, proofs of the painful truth that the Rulers of this great civilized people whose fathers conquered India, who advanced our outposts in that country during the military service of one single man over 1,000 miles of fertile territory, are now trembling because a Power 100 years behind us in civilization and strength is humbly following our example amidst deserts and oases. There stands, amongst many other strange things, the account of that Conference at Peshawur between the Envoy of the Viceroy and the Envoy of the Ameer, which reads like a scene in a comedy. Would to God it had not been the prologue to a tragedy! This Blue Book, or Drab Book ratherstrange colour for a volume so redolent of war contains, as I have said, many strange things. There are two things, however, for which we search its pages in vain. The first is an explanation of the reasons why the policy to which statesmen on both mitted from 1868 to sides of politics were so deeply coma very recent period has been so completely thrown aside; and the second what it is proposed - is cast upon these most important points | sibility of what a friend of mine epiby this large and interesting mass of gramatically described the other day Papers, it is all the more satisfactory as "Four Switzerlands inhabited by that we have in this House the states- savages?" The noble Lord further man who having, as Secretary of State explained that the reason why we defor India, introduced the policy with sired to have an independent and friendly respect to Afghanistan which we took Power in Afghanistan was that Afghanup and followed when in Office, has, as istan had a Frontier from which, at any Chancellor of the Exchequer, felt him- moment, "the Natives could invade or self obliged to give up that policy and make a raid on India.' Well, if that adopt a new one. A living authority is so, all I can say is that I trust not 24 when we can get it is better than the hours will pass before the India Office letter of any Book-blue, or other-and telegraphs to Lord Lytton to wind up the right hon. Gentleman can, if he so the Indian Empire and come home. pleases, sweep away by a short state- Talk of British India being invaded by ment all our doubts and many of our the Afghans! Talk of England being difficulties. I will endeavour, accord- conquered by the gipsies! To base a ingly, to make as clear as possible what policy on a dream like that is, indeed, we desire to know from his lips. Before, strange. But the noble Lord went on however, I do this I should like to advert to quote Lord Lawrence's account of the to some of the remarks which fell from plundering propensities of the Afghans. the noble Lord the Vice President of Who doubts them? I do not mean to the Committee of Council and the Under say that they would not be too glad to Secretary of State for India. The noble invade India if they could, and I dare Lord told us "that the policy of masterly say the gipsies would be very glad to inactivity had one great merit. It was conquer England. We want the Afghan a safe policy; but in every other sense Ruler to be strong, because we want it was absolutely unworthy of a great from him, as I have said before, "that civilized Power." In that phrase I recog- kind of indirect assistance which a nize a thought which I believe to be civilized Government must always demuch in the mind of the Viceroy, as to rive from being known to exercise a whom I take this opportunity of saying, pacifying and semi-civilizing influence that in spite of all that has occurred in around its own borders." But as for connection with this disastrous Frontier fearing the Afghans, I cannot understand business, I think there is a great deal what it means. Has it come to this, of truth in the account which the noble Sir? Has the shadow gone back upon Lord gave of him. Others have been the dial? Are we really not living in more to blame than he in this matter the year 1878, under the auspicious others who, happily, are nearer at hand, reign of Lord Beaconsfield and a Goand whom we can attack with the satis-vernment which loves a spirited foreign faction of feeling that they can have their say in return-although he, too, set by them on a wrong road-has latterly been misled by the magic of his own misconceptions. But as to the thought itself, I think it is a mistaken one. The whole thing is a question of relative duties. Shall I be thought very parochially minded if I say that these people are not in our parish? India is, after all, only a corner of the great British Parish, and it contains 250,000,000, for whom we are doubtless doing much, if we look at it from the point of view of our numbers and position on the earth's surface, but on whom, after all, we are producing very moderate results. Is it, then, wise to enter upon a course of policy which is but too likely to end in landing us with the additional responVOL. CCXLIII. [THIRD SERIES.] policy? Are we afraid even of the Afghans? Is this not 1878 but 1761 ? Is Ahmed Shah, and not Shere Ali, on the Throne of Afghanistan? and we, are we like the last great ruling race which preceded us in India, about to suffer a crushing defeat at the hands of the Afghans? What! am I to be told that when our troops have to meet this Afghan invasion, they will advance to do so as the Mahrattas are said by a historian of those times to have advanced at Paniput, with " every symptom of hopeless despair, rather than that of steady resolution?" Would " everything in our host bespeak the despondency of sacrifice prepared rather than the courage of victory determined? ” And when the fight was over, would our commander have to write a letter to [Third Night.] Y |