The British Parliament.
An address, in reply to the
Queen's speech, was adopted in both houses of Parliament without amendment.
In the House of Lords Earl Derby reviewed at length the foreign policy of the
Government contending that it was injurious and humiliating to
England.
The rejection of the Emperor Napoleon's proposal for a European Congress, and of his invitation to recognize the
Government of the
Confederate States, together with the fruitless negotiations with
Russia respecting
Poland, and the interference in the
Dano German difficulty, were severally referred to by End
Darby, and although he did not oppose the address he severely censured Earl Russell's foreign policy.
Earl Russell, in reply, explained the
Dano German difficulty, and showed that
England was quite unfettered in the matter, never having given the slightest promise of assistance to
Denmark.
In the House of Commons
Mr. Disraeli spoke in a similar strain to Earl Derby, assailing the foreign policy of the
Government.
Lord Palmerston replied, vigorously defending the course of Earl Russell.
Mr. Gladstone explained that the promise of
England to stand by
Denmark was given under circumstances different from those which control the present war.
Mr. Layard read dispatches from
Austria and
Prussia, stating that whatever arrangements might be mad relative to Schleswig and
Holstein, The great Powers would be consulted.
After some other speeches the address to the
Queen was agreed to.
In the course of his remarks
Mr. Disraeli contended that the
Queen's speech should have made some reference to American affairs, and complained of its silence on this and other important subjects.
Lord Palmerston replied that the
Government could only have repeated what has often been said before, and he could see no necessity for that.
Early Derisy repudiated the idea of British responsibility for the doings of the
Alabama.
He trusted that the
Ministers had given such an answer to the claim of the
Federal Government as would put and end to such monstrous demands in future.
The debate on the
Danish question generally inspired more confidence in commercial circles in
England, but it was felt that it by no means defined what the shape the policy of
England would take.
In the House of Commons, on the 5th instant,
Mr. Whireside called a to the distress in
Ireland, and the consequent emigration of fighting men to
America.
Lord G. Manners expressed the hope that the
Government would lose no opportunity in giving friendly advice to the
American belligerents, with the view of the bloody, contest.
The latest accounts state that the Danes had evacuated Schleswig and the Dannework, and fallen back on Flemburg, the Germans pursuing.
A Hamburg dispatch of the morning of the 6th, says:
‘
No news from the Theatre of war had been received.
It was believed that the Prussians prevent its transmission.
Siwere fighting is supposed to be going on, as numbers of wounded are constantly being taken to Hendsburg.
A Hamburg dispatch, of the afternoon of the 6th, gives a report that the town of
Schleswig had been evacuated by the Danes and occupied by the Allies.
Another dispatch says that this statement may be considered authentic.
There is nothing known as to the capture of Missunde.
’
