§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether, in view of the serious injury to British commerce which a war between France and China would involve, Her Majesty's Government will interpose their good offices between those Powers?
MR. GLADSTONESir, with respect to this subject, both in the general interests of peace, which we think to be of high importance to the country, and likewise in the interests of friendship with Foreign Powers, Her Majesty's Government are always on the look-out for opportunities, when any friendly Power is involved in differences with another State, for offering their good offices, if they can do so with advantage. I am not prepared to say that the circumstances of the present case afford any sufficient expectation of advantage; but the subject is one which will remain under the careful consideration of Her Majesty's Government.