THE LORDS' DEBATE.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13051, 10 March 1911, Page 3

THE LORDS' DEBATE.

(Received Muirh 10, 0.15 a.m.) ■ London, March 9. In the llous-c- of 1.0r.1s Lord Desborough, in initintiiiK a debate on tlu Docliiration of I.oiulon, Mgnrousl> denounced the Det'laration. Lord Dvpart. from tho cross benclios made a long and impressive speech. He said the British envoys had done everything to induce foreign governments to assist the Intornatianal 1 hot Court, and if Britain clianged her mind now she would impenl tuturo nerrotiatiotis. Tho declaration substituted fixed rul lS for chaos. The conversion of merchant vessels into ships ot war was the most kptvous point attectii...' Britain. IV Uu- question was one of"aining an advantage as neutrals or belligerents neutral interests must •to Hn supportwl the declaration, beiioviu-' it would largely benefit .neutrals without sacrificing a single belligerent right. . Lord Si-lborno, tnkmg Smuth Afuca as an example, pointed to the danger to the ovors;-,ns doininicins. It was perfectly certain tlr.it an eiiein\'s cruiser captains would claim foodstuffs to be conlralnp.d «li"'i uoing into British ports of f-outh Africa, as undoubtedly tl'<-■■•■> would lit' bases for armed forces, fre"did not wander :it tlui representations cnniinp: from Aus-tr.aha, _ whore similar circumstances might arise. It was impossible to secure the moral support of the dominions if Britain nititle an agreement without consulting them. Tliedi-brit* was adjourned.