The Alabama Claims

LoxDOíí, Juno 11. - In tho IIouso o: Commons to-day, Mr. Gladstono mudo a statement of the present eoudition oí tho Alabains negotiations, tbo main r-oint ol whioh was tliat a proposal had been made to the United States for a poatpouement of the meeting of the Board o) Arbitration at Geneva for eight months. ïhis infonnation had already been antieipated by the late cable dispatches to the English press from America, nrhich statu that the letter of Earl Granvillo making the proposition, had been published therc in full. Bernal Osborne asked whether the dispatch purporting to bo from Earl Granville, proposing an adjourninent of tlae Genev tribunal was genvime. He considered it hinniliatinij and undignified. Mr. Gladstone replied that the dispatch was genuint', and defended the proposition it coutained as honorable to both countries. Mr. Disraeli strongly opposod leaving tho quostion open for eight monthg, particularly while a heatod Presidential contest waa in progresa in tho United States. This country had been kept too long in tho dark. He believed that tho policy of the gov-.riiment would end in disaster and disgraco. Messrs. Gordin and Bontuck, Lord Tarmouth, Sir G. S. Jenkins, Mr. Patney and others severely criticised tho goverument, expressing a want of confidence in its future proceedings. Mr. Gladstono defended the action of tho govornment, at great length, and concluded with a declaration that ho would be a criminal to deviate a hairsbreadth from tho originai position. In tho Houso of Lords Earl Granville made his statement. Ho said that on Saturday laat it became clear that tho British and American governments would fail for want of time to come to an agreement in regard to tho supplemental article. Tho difficulty related sololy the bearing whiohits conditiöns would havo in the future. The Americana considered England's objections hypt-rcritical.' He had consented to the idea of an adjournment of the Geneva Board to give time for the rcinoval of the difficulty. Tomorrow the Biitish agents andropresentatives would start for Genova, for it would bo dignified and courteous to ap poar bcfore the arbitrators, whatever the eircuittstances migüfc be. Decisive instructions and full powers had been given them. Lord Cairns oxpressed astonishmont, but said that tho House was accustomed to surprises on this subject. He supposed that the eight months' adjournment wits made in the hope of something turning up to help tho government out of its predioament Kurl Granvillo said ho must hesitate to accept Lord Cairns' critioisms, because of his inaceuracies of speech. The Marquis of Salisbnr bolieved the American were urging as strongly as fver their indirect claims. England had failed to maintain her positiou. Parliament had subsisted too long on scraps of information supplied tlnough the corruption or indiscretion of American officials Tho Houso wantod to know whst tho terms woro on whioh England eonsented to proceed with tho arbitration. Eurl Kimberly, Colonial Secretary, roplind that neither taunts nor ingenuity could alter tho dotermiuation of the govcriiment. Earl Derby objeoted to personalities in this debate. He asked why did England propose an adjournment of the arbitration, and why for so long a time. The country had reoeived tho nuws with surpriso and regret. Earl Granvillo said' that tho adjournment was made to a dato when Pari iament and Congres would both bo in Kession. Ho did not seo anything ahtnuiiifi. Earl Grey considered the government censurable. He declared that England land ought to withdraw from the trenty, unless tho indirect claims wore with drawn. Loud cheers followed this declaration