§ THE EARL OF MALMESBURYsaid, he wished to put a Question to the noble Earl the Foreign Secretary, of which he had given him private notice—namely, whether an article which appeared in The Observer on the previous day was correct. The Observer had the reputation of being patronized by the Government, and of being a reflection of their opinions and intentions. That might or might not be the fact; but the belief had the effect of attracting public attention to statements which, if published in another paper, would fail to obtain any credence. The paragraph was as follows:—
We must await the arrival of Russia's reply to the joint notes of the three Powers. In the mean while our Channel fleet is ordered to cruise in the Baltic. The Defence, Resistance, and Royal Oak, are not only suggestive in name, but exceedingly mighty in the power to do mischief. Perhaps their appearance in Russian waters on a peaceful cruise may have a good effect.It was impossible to misunderstand the feeling evinced in this paragraph. It was one of menace to Russia; and although that might not be the intention of the noble Earl, yet, if our fleet were at this time going to the Baltic, it was certain that the same inference would be drawn by Europe generally, and by the Russian Government in particular, as was drawn in this article. The noble Earl might say that the fleet was gone to the Baltic for a summer cruise, which was usual at this time of the year; but it would, nevertheless, he must be permitted to say, show a great want of tact and judgment to send the fleet into the Baltic, considering the position in which the two countries stood, and the diplomatic negotiations which were being carried on with Russia on the Polish question. He wished, therefore, to ask the noble Earl, Whether it was true that this demonstration on our part had been made, and whether the English fleet had been sent in all its strength to the Baltic?
§ EARL RUSSELLIn answer to the Question of the noble Earl, I beg to state that there is not the smallest foundation 615 for the paragraph which he has seen in The Observer. Whatever information The Observer may obtain occasionally, the editor must certainly have been misinformed as to the intention of the Government in this case.