with, or whether Her Majesty's Govern- | a great National Assembly, and that he ment assume to themselves the discretion will submit to it the conditions upon of advising Her Majesty to delay or which he will consent to remain. Should withhold the "fiat," at the risk of a these conditions not be accepted, he says differing or negation of justice to the that he will abdicate. General Ehrenroth subject, within the meaning of Magna has been appointed Minister, and the Charta? elections to the Assembly are to take place in July. SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT, in reply, said, there had been no departure from Magna Charta in the cases referred to. The same rule was observed that had been observed for centuries. The Government had no right arbitrarily to refuse a Petition of Right. A case for a Petition of Right first went before the Secretary of State, who referred it to the Attorney General for his advice. The question whether it should be granted or not was referred to the Attorney General; and every care was taken not to deprive an applicant of an opportunity of enforcing any right he might have to redress. There were, however, some rights which could not be enforced. BULGARIA (POLITICAL AFFAIRS)— ALEXANDER. LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he has any information in regard to the political crisis in Bulgaria, and the rumoured intention of Prince Alexander to resign? FRANCE-NEW TREATY OF COMMERCE (NEGOTIATIONS). LORD JOHN MANNERS asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Government have received any Memorials or Resolutions from Chambers of Commerce deprecating the renewal of the French Treaty of Commerce on unfavourable conditions; and, if so, whether he will lay them upon the Table of the House? SIR CHARLES W. DILKE: Memorials and Resolutions have been re ceived from Chambers of Commerce, expressing various opinions with regard to the renewal of the French Treaty of Commerce, and they will be laid on the Table in due course with the rest of the Papers relating to this subject. I have to-day laid on the Table some important bassador and Lord Lyons respecting the Correspondence with the French Ampromulgation of the General Tariff. FRANCE-THE NEW FRENCH GENERAL in force, as the result of the most favoured nation clauses of the existing Commercial Treaty? TARIFF THE COBDEN TREATY. SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign MR. W. H. SMITH asked the Under Affairs, Whether it is true, as stated in Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, the public prints, that at Sofia the Prince If he will lay upon the Table of the of Bulgaria has violently subverted the House, a Return showing the difference Constitution duly established with the between the duties prescribed by the sanction of the Powers under the Treaty so-called Cobden Treaty with France of Berlin, and attempted to usurp com- and the Conventional Tariff on the implete authority; if so, whether Her Ma-portation of British Goods which is now jesty's Government have yet taken any action in the matter; and, whether Her Majesty's Consul General at Sofia will hold any diplomatic intercourse with the usurper, beyond warning him of the personal responsibility which he incurs? SIR CHARLES W.DILKE: I greatly regret to say that the statements which have appeared in the newspapers are true. Her Majesty's Agent at Sofia has telegraphed that the Proclamation of the Prince of Bulgaria states that for two years he has endeavoured to govern in accordance with the Constitution, but that he finds that the country is in a state of disorder; that he will convoke MR. CHAMBERLAIN, in reply, said, the Returns would have to be prepared by the Board of Trade, and if the right hon. Gentleman would move for them he might have them as unopposed. Perhaps, at the same time, he might reply to a Question on the same subject, of which Notice had been given by the hon. Member for Manchester (Mr. Birley). The hon. Member was aware that the General Tariff was promulgated on the 8th instant, and on the 10th instant a comparative Return was sent to the printer; but he stated that the proof | portance. He had had, therefore, sewould not be ready for eight or ten riously to consider whether he should days. RAILWAYS-METROPOLITAN DISTRICT RAILWAY COMPANY. MR. FIRTH asked the President of the Board of Trade, Whether it is the fact that the Metropolitan District Railway Company decline to issue Parliamentary tickets by more than two trains each day; whether it is not the fact that the third-class fare between certain stations on the line is double the Parliamentary rate; and, whether the action of the Railway Company is legally justifiable; and, if not, whether he is prepared to take measures to secure the interests and rights of the travelling poor ? apply for a criminal information against Attorney General, making an ample MITTEE AND THE NEW SCHEME. MR. O'SHEA asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in consideration of the length of time during which many officers in the Army have been kept in uncertainty as to their fate under the re-organization scheme, he will urge on War Office for the purpose of settling the Committees which are sitting at the the details of that scheme the advisability of speedily reporting thereon? MR. CHAMBERLAIN, in reply, said, he was informed that the statements ARMY RE-ORGANIZATION-THE COMgenerally in the Question of his hon. Friend were correct. He was also informed that the fares now charged by the Company were not in excess of the maximum rates allowed by the Act of Parliament. The Regulation of Railways Act, 1844, provided that the Company should run each day one train each way for the carrying of third-class passengers, and that not more than a penny per mile should be charged. Under these circumstances, it did not seem that the Company exceeded their powers; and the Board of Trade, therefore, had no right to interfere. MR. HENEAGE asked Mr. Solicitor General, Whether he has come to any determination as to what steps should be taken in reference to the articles in the "Boston Independent" newspaper, imputing to the Attorney General that the prosecutions instituted by him against certain persons in connection with the late Election at Boston were dictated by motives other than a sense of public duty? MR. CHILDERS: In reply to my hon. Friend, I have to assure him that we are making satisfactory progress with the details of the changes due to the General Plan of Re-organization which I have explained to the House. The Committee are sitting from day to day, and a great many questions have been settled by the Commander-in-Chief and myself; and I fully hope to complete and publish the decisions which have to be made in a reasonable time, before the 1st of July. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES (ANIMALS) DISEASE ACT-FOOT-AND-MOUTH OUTBREAK AT DUKINFIELD. THE SOLICITOR GENERAL (Sir MR. WILBRAHAM EGERTON FARRER HERSCHELL), in reply, said, the asked the Vice President of the Council, imputations cast upon his hon. and Whether his attention has been called learned Friend the Attorney General, to a fresh outbreak of foot and mouth in reference to the motives which ac- disease which occurred on the 25th tuated him in instituting certain criminal ultimo at Dukinfield, and which has proceedings, were of a serious character, been traced to an Irish cow recently and it was a matter of great public im- | imported, and purchased on the 13th Mr. Chamberlain April from a drover at Ashton under Lyne; and, whether the vessels which bring cattle from Ireland are thoroughly disinfected and cleansed after each voyage? it is hoped they will be ready for pre- PROTECTION OF PERSON AND PRO- MR. MUNDELLA: The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease which occurred at Dukinfield on the 25th ultimo may have been traced to an animal of Irish origin; but we have no doubt whatever that the disease was contracted after landing in England. There has not been a single case of the disease reported in Ireland since October, 1879. And although we are constantly receiving complaints that Irish cattle convey the disease, we are able in every instance to trace that the animals have been some time in England before developing it. Stringent regulations have been issued First Lord of the Treasury, Whether by the Privy Council, both in England he is prepared to afford any facilities for and Ireland, respecting the cleansing the early discussion of the Motion on and disinfection of vessels carrying animals, and whenever they are found the Arrest of Mr. Dillon, M.P., and the to be infringed the owners of the vessel are prosecuted. We have one such secution pending now. We are constantly hearing it stated that Irish cattle bring over disease; whereas the fact really is that Irish cattle contract disease after their arrival in this country. pro FRANCE AND TUNIS-THE TURKISH FLEET. ⚫ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government will lay upon the Table Copies of the Despatches from Lord Lyons respecting the assurances given by the French Government that the French forces will be withdrawn from Tunis so soon as the Kroumir question is disposed of; and, whether he will also lay upon the Table Copies of the Correspondence, with the Governments of Italy, Turkey, or any other power concerning the action of France in Tunis; and, whether Her Majesty's Government have received from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople any Report as to the communications made to the Porte by the French Ambassador on the subject of the departure of Turkish ironclads for Tunisian waters; and, whether he can' state in detail the contents of such communications, and lay Mr. Goschen's Report upon the Table? SIR CHARLES W. DILKE: Papers on the subject are being prepared, and MR. JUSTIN MCARTHY asked the conduct of the Irish Executive ? MR. GLADSTONE: I cannot see the cogency of the hon. Member's request, seeing that he withdrew the Motion immediately before Tuesday last, when it was almost certain he could have brought it on. ["Oh, oh!"] There were no other Motions in the way which threatened to lead to any lengthened discussion; instead of which a discusraised on the Motion for adjournment. sion of several hours' duration was Still, I should be glad to meet the views of the hon. Member if it were in my power; but if he means to ask whether I will set aside the Land Law (Ireland) Bill to make way for it, then my answer must be in the negative. MR. JUSTIN MCARTHY asked whether the right hon. Gentleman would give a Morning Sitting for the discussion of Mr. Dillon's arrest? MR. GLADSTONE: Nothing but a strong public necessity would induce me to ask the House for a Morning Sitting Member withdrew his Motion, and at this period of the year. The hon. therefore I think we can hardly say there is that strong sense of public necessity. ligious toleration in the Government of this Country, he is prepared to advocate the abolition of all remaining religious checks at present existing such as those which prevent a Lord Chancellor or Sovereign of Great Britain being a Catholic, and thus to endanger the Protestant succession as established by Law? MR. GLADSTONE: No, Sir; the Government have no intention of advocating anything of the kind. TREATY OF BERLIN-ARMENIA. MR. BRYCE asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true, as reported in the newspapers on May 9th, that the Turkish Government is disarming the Christian population of Armenia, while permitting the nomad Kurds to retain their arms; and, whether, if the statement is true, the British Ambassador will be instructed to point out to the Porte the danger of such a step, as putting the peaceable inhabitants of the country even more completely than they now are at the mercy of the robber tribes? with sufficient authority to carry out "The Metropolitan Poor Act, 1867?" MR. DODSON: I am sorry to say that the small-pox hospitals are full, or nearly so; but I have no information that persons suffering from small-pox are now lying in lodging-houses, although I fear such may probably be the case. I had hoped that supplementary provision would have been made by the Guardians and the Vestries and District Boards, and this, to some extent, has been done; but I regret to say that in other cases where exertions have been made to provide accommodation these exertions have been paralyzed by actual or threatened legal proceedings. At the same time, it is satisfactory to be able to state that the Metropolitan Asylum Managers are exerting themselves to the utmost to provide temporary accommodation on their property at Darenth for 300 or 400 convalescent patients, and this will afford considerable relief to the present hospitals. I may add that the Local Government Board is in communication with them respecting further immediate provision. PARLIAMENT-BUSINESS OF THE TUESDAY. COLONEL ALEXANDER rose to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, Why the House was allowed to be Adjourned on the Motion of the Hon. Member for SIR CHARLES W. DILKE: A Report from Van, dated March 15, states that the authorities were taking certain measures in view of disaffection among the Armenians. The Armenian Council had been requested to send in a statement of all Societies existing among the Armenians, with their objects; and a the city of Cork on Tuesday the 10th Club which had been started a few instant before 9 p.m., when a Resolution months previously had been closed on account of speeches made there. No Great Britain, for the third time during affecting the interests of the Police of mention is made of disarming the Chris- the present Session, occupied the first tian population. Her Majesty's Go-place on the Notice Paper? He might, vernment will, however, ask whether there is any foundation for this Report. PUBLIC HEALTH-SMALL-POX (ME- MR. W. II. SMITH asked the President of the Local Government Board, If he is aware that the Smallpox Hospitals of the Metropolitan Asylums Board are full, and that persons suffering from smallpox are now lying in lodginghouses in crowded neighbourhoods, to the great danger of the other inhabitants; and, whether he will state what steps he proposes to take to provide the Asylums Board with the necessary powers to deal with the epidemic, and Mr. Bellingham in putting that Question, state that he never left the House during the whole evening, not even venturing as far as the tea-room. When, however, the hon. Member for Dungarvan (Mr. O'Donnell) rose to address the House on the Question of the adjournment, he went to the Bar to get some refreshment, which was absolutely necessary, and in the short interval of three minutes he found that the Solicitor General for Ireland had consented on the part of the Government to the adjournment of the House, although it was known that an important Motion was going to be brought forward. He hoped the Government would do something to protect the rights of private Members. The ballot for a place on the Order Book was rapidly becoming a complete farce. MR. GLADSTONE: I do not know, Sir, whether I am to reply to the speech of the hon. and gallant Member; but, so far as the question is concerned, I will reply to it as well as I can. The hon. and gallant Gentleman asks why the House was allowed to be adjourned? Well, I believe the House was allowed to be adjourned because no Member chose to challenge the adjournment. COLONEL ALEXANDER: The Solicitor General for Ireland was present, and did not challenge it on the part of the Government. MR. GLADSTONE: The hon. and gallant Gentleman says the Solicitor General for Ireland consented to the adjournment on the part of the Government. I understand that statement is wholly erroneous. He had no power, and he had no right to do so; and it would be very unusual indeed for a Member of the Government to rise in the course of a discussion, knowing that there were a number of Motions by private Members on the Paper, and to state that the Government consented to an adjournment; and I know the hon. and gallant Gentleman is under an entirely erroneous impression as to what took place. I understand there were plenty of Members about the House to challenge the adjournment had a decision been taken. COLONEL ALEXANDER: The Solici- | tor General for Ireland did not challenge the adjournment. MR. GLADSTONE: It was no more the duty of the Solicitor General for Ireland to challenge the division than any other Member. I am very sorry that private Members who had Notices on the Paper did not enter into a combination with the hon. and gallant Gentleman, who seems to have done his duty very fully to prevent the calamity that took place. LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL said, that in consequence of the reply of the right hon Gentleman, he thought it absolutely necessary to make a few remarks. He would, therefore, move the adjournment of the House in order to obtain from the Government a fuller explanation. He was perfectly certain that, whatever might be thought by the official and the ex-official Members of the House, private Members would not tolerate the manner in which they were treated on Tuesday night, and the way in which the Prime Minister had just treated his hon. and gallant Friend. His hon. and gallant Friend had obtained the first place on the Paper for his Motion on two former occasions. On both these occasions he gave way to the Government. Then a third time, by extraordinary good fortune, he obtained the first place, whereupon the Government requited him for having given way by deliberately allowing the House to be adjourned, in order to avoid discussion of a subject that was very interesting to a large number of county Members. These Members were prepared to discuss it; but the Members of the Government ostentatiously quitted the Treasury Bench, leaving the unfortunate Solicitor General for Ireland without instructions. Who would deny that that was not a deliberately planned thing? The Government were, no doubt, very much put out at not getting the Morning Sitting, and were determined to show private Members that they were not gaining anything by this refusal. It was perfectly evident that the Government did not care one single rush for private Members so long as they got their measures through. He moved that the House do now adjourn. MR. SPEAKER: Does any hon. Member second the Motion? SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF: I will, Sir. Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House do now adjourn."(Lord Randolph Churchill.) SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT said, that the noble Lord had made charges against the Government which were characterized by his well-known courtesy and accuracy. The noble Lord said the Government desired to prevent the Motion of the hon. and gallant Member being discussed. All he could say was that he himself and his hon. Friend the Under Secretary (Mr. Courtney) were there all the evening, and extremely anxious to discuss that Motion. About half-past 8 o'clock, when an Irish Member made a Motion to count out the House, he came in himself to aid in making a House. He did not observe present that large number of county Members who had been described as deeply interested in the Motion. He |