THE WAR CLOUD.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 11, Issue 856, 6 July 1867, Page 3

THE WAR CLOUD.

London, May 10. The Peace Congress assembled in this city on the Bth inst. The following are the Plenipotentiaries : — England — Lord Stanley, president ; France—Prince de la Tour Auvergne; Prussia — Count Bernstorf; Austria — Count Appoinyi ; Russia — Baron Brunow ; Italy — Marquis D'Azzlio ; Luxemburg — Baron de Tornnco ; Belgium — M. Van de Weyer ; Netherlands — Baron Bentioll. i The proceedings are to be kept secret till the close of the Congress. This much, however, is known, that France is willing to accept the neutralisation of Luxemburg, and the dismantling and razing ot the fortress, so that it may not remain as a menace. Prussia is not disposed to consent to this unless ail the great Powers now represented in the Congress give a guarantee of the settlement. The giving of this guarantee would bind them to engage in war against the future designs of either Power (France or Prussia) seeking aggrandisement in this direction. England hesitates to give such a guarantee, and is rather in favour of the idea of the people of Luxemburg for annexation to Belgium. Pending the issue of the deliberations of the Congress, France is buying arms both in England and Spain, and Prussian troops of the regular array are being held in readiness to support the garrison in Luxemburg. Russia is looking out for her chances of aggrandisement in the East and Poland by the opportunity of a general war. Muskets are being converted into breach-loaders for all the Russian army. Reports from War-

few state that the Russian Government is concentrating • troops and accumulating munitions of vyjr in the Province of Poland. THE REFORM QUESTION. . London, May 10. In the House of Commons a division took place on Mr. Gladstone's amendment to. the Reform Bill providing for " lodger franchise," and the Government was defeated by a majority of 81 votes. The Government concluded not to resign, and on the following day accepted of the amendment. The Great Reform meeting which has been in contemplation for some time past came off on the 6th inst. in Hyde Park, and was a very grand affair. At least 100,000 persons participated in it. The Government at first made up its mind to suppress the demonstration, but afterwards came to the conclusion that it was the wisest course to let it proceed, and it did so. Nevertheless the Government had out a large police force, and the military were kept under arms ready to march at a moment's notice to put down any rioting or outbreak that might occur. Nothing, however, more disorderly occurred than the hissing occasion- , ally of the police by the demonstrationists. THE GREAT EXPOSITION. The Great Exposition promises to be a very great success. Every day adds to its splendour and magnificence, and each hour brings large crowds of people from all parts of the world to take a look at ifc. - S) THE DERBY REFORM BILL. London, May 11. In, the House of Commons on the evening of the 9th inst., members were engaged in debate on the subject of Mr. Disraeli's compromise amendments to the original Derby reform bill. -' Mr. Gladstone, ex-Chancellor of the Exchequer, delivered a powerful speech against the amendments and in opposition to the Government policy. . He said the Government bill was a shallow, transparent and 'simulating pretence of a measure for the extension of the franchise, and he despaired of its ever being made a good or beneficial one by amendment in the House. Mr John Bright delivered a speech, in which he declared that the Derby bill was the most unjust and offensive measure ever submitted to the Commons of England. Mr. Roebuck and Mr. Disraeli defended the government bill and plan. The debate closed after the speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Strangers were then excluded from the House and the division taken. When the doors were opened it was declared that the vote was for the Government bill. Thus : — For Go vernment, 322; Against, 256. Majority for Government, 66. The announcement of the result was received with loud and protracted cheering from the ministerial benches. In the House of Lords onthe same eyening Earl Derby in reply to a question and remarks of Earl Cowley with, reference to the Reform Leaguers' outdoor meeting held in Hyde Park on Monday the 7th inst. said that he, as head of the Cabinet, took upon himself fully the responsibility attaching to the course pursued by the Government on that occasion. Sir Robert Walpole, he said, had tendered his resignation of the office of. Home Secretary. A debate ensued on the subject of the Hyde Park demonstration of the reformers, in the course of which Earl Russell and Earl Grey censured the course and conduct of the Government in severe terms, THE PEACE CONFERENCE COMPLETELY SUCCESSFUL. London, May 11. The representative's of the Great Powers commissioned to the Peace Congress reassembled yesterday afternoon. The second meeting has proved a success with reference to the difficult and important subject which the plenipotentiaries have been called upon to treat as between France and Prussia, the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg and Holland. The question is settled in favor of peace. By the recorded minute of the Congress Luxemburg remains under the rule of the King of Holland. ; The neutralisation of the Grand Duchy will be guaranteed by the Great Powers of Europe. The fortress of Luxemburg will be evacuated by the Prussian troops, and razed to the ground. No. troops will be retained within the territory of Luxemburg except a force which may be necessary to maintain order and preserve the peace. The pressure which was exerted on the plenipotentiaries in the Congress by the defiant attitude which the opposing Powers France and Prussia — maintained towards each other, combined with the knowledge which the mcmbei's had of the great war preparations which were being carried on on the Continent, led to a very speedy action on the part of the Conference representatives. There now. remain, merely the official and executive details of the proceedings to be settled, which will be done in due form and speedily. In the House of Commons last evening, Lord Stanley, Foreign Secretary, replying on behalf of the Cabinet, to a question which had- been propounded, said that the members of the Peace Conference had met. in session for the second time, and although he could not at present enter into a detail of the proceedings, he might report that a substantial arrangement had been arrived at in the Conference on all the matters in dispute, so that an amicable settlement of the Luxemburg question was practically realized at this moment. Lord Stanley then proceeded to say that he congratulated the House of Commons and congratulated the country at large, on the fact that the good sense and moderation of the Powers primarily interested as parties in the Luxemburg difficulty had had the effect of arresting the unspeakable calamities which would ensue to the people from a European war. With respect to the part taken by her Majesty's Government in the matter, the Cabinet acted in accordance with constitutional usage, in their ministerial responsibility as the official advisers of the Crown and Sovereign, which responsibility, as well as the reasons which induced them to undertake it, they wore ready to vindicnte to Parliament and before the country. The matter bad become very critical. Ministers were informed every moment of the gravity of their case, so he (Lord Stanley) could not take upon himself to postpone or delay an amendment desired by all the parties, in"

terested-^and proposedin the cphference;^--^ when by sb doing he would most 'likely,, prevent altogether the maturing arid giving 5 expression to the sentiment^ . '■■"<{■'■-.. With reference to the guarantee of the y neutrality of Luxemburg, he regretted to;\ observe that the House of Commons should show a susceptibility with regard to the , action of the Cabinet, for he also voted the ■--'{. guarantee. The members of the House ;< were aware that England and— -what was-e an uncommon occurrence- — the remainder ; of the Great Powers who Were parties to; >>' the Luxemburg and Beigo-Holland treaty of the year 1839, had absolutely guaranteed '-, the territory of Luxemburg to the King of Holland at that' time. What the Government had now done was merely to adapt that guarantee to the present circumstances of the case, and render it efficacious in view of the changes which had taken place in the Germanic Confederation. Ministers had not extended, but, on the contrary, had rather limited the guarantee incurred in 1839, and by that action contracted the . responsibility which the country sustained under it. The present negotiations would be brought to a conclusion within the space of a few days, and then the whole of the papers connected with the proceedings of the London Peace Congresa of 1867, would be laid before Parliament. Loud cheering followed the close of Lord Stanley's speech. The Hon. John O'Shannassy was enter- .' taiued at a dinner at Willis' rooms, previous tc his departure for Australia. The Morning Post in an, editorial, expresses the opinion that the Government will riot execute the sentence of death recently passed on the condemned Fenians, Burke and Doran. King George of Greece has arrived in this city. The health of the Princess of Wales has greatly improved. Carlo Poerio, the Neapolitan patriot and exile, is dead. The Queen's proclamation, creating, the new dominion of Canada, is shortly expected at Ottawa. Lord Monck is expected to be Viceroy or Governor-General. George Peabody, the banker and philanthropist, has sailed for England. ; The Emperor Alexander will visit Paris in June. The Princess of Wales' health ia better She is now out of danger. Newmarket Spring Meeting, Two Thousand Guineas : Yauban, 1 ; Knight of the Garter, 2. Chester Cup : Beeswing, 1 ; Enderleigh, 2. Carlo Poerio, the Italian patriot and . ..exile, is dead. * *