BOMBARDMENT OF VALPARAISO.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXII, Issue 2807, 25 July 1866, Page 6

BOMBARDMENT OF VALPARAISO.

Ik the House of Commons, May loth, Sir L. Palk asked if it was true that the Spanish admiral had bombarded and destroyed the city of Valparaiso, that the English, minister and Admiral Penman refused to co-operate with the American admiral in saving it from destruction^ and whether the admiral was justified in moving his ships out "of 'the way to enable the Spaniards to fire on a defenceless city. — After some discussion, Mr. Layard explained at some length the history of the negotiations'Trhich her Majesty's Government, in'common with thdt of the Emperor of the French, had set on foot in order to prevent hostilities between Spain and Chili,- -and stated that, so far 'as British property 'at Va'l£arVuao was concerned, "the owners had received 30 'hours' notice to remove .their goods before the manifesto of the Spanish admiral was promulgated. He 'denied that the American admiral had made an offer to Admiral Denm'anto join' him in preventing the bombardment. No such offer had been mad^^and even if the British' admiral had been authorised to interfere, he had no J adequate means at command to do so. The bombardment had made a very painful impression upon her Majesty's Govermrientj more especially as bpain had sent imperative 'orders to the admiral to open fire without communicating her intention to either England or France, who were doing their utmost to prevent hostilities and 'bring about an honourable peace. With respect, to the alleged request by Chili' that Mr. Thompson should be withdrawn her Majesty's Government ihad> not ' received any such, application. J i »>'. <./ • In the House of Lords, on .the sam&iday,' Lord' . Houghton inquired what instructions' had beeagiven^ to! Admiral Denman in regard ±o the boiabar&paenfe of Valparaiso. — The, Dukeof Somerset statedatha^ instructions had been given to the admiral to, preserve the strictest neutrality, while the British, merchants in the city had full notice of the necessity, of removing their property,