HL Deb 12 December 1893 vol 19 cc1141-2

OBSERVATIONS.

THE LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (The Earl of KIMBERLEY)

My Lords, before the House proceeds to Business, I think I may say that it is our unanimous wish to join with the other House in expressing our sympathy with the French Chamber on the occasion of the atrocious outrage perpetrated there. Therefore, if the House approves, a communication will be made from this House to the French Chamber and to its President expressing our sympathy with them in what has occurred, and our horror at the atrocious crime which has been perpetrated.

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

I am sure the proposal of the noble Lord will meet with the universal adhesion of the House, as did a similar proposal in the other House. I think the Government has taken a most suitable and graceful course in expressing sympathy with the French Chamber, which has been exposed to a danger from which we in common with all other Legislative Assemblies are not free. There is something very special in these outbreaks of bloodthirsty disorder. It is not like the assassination of past times. It was bad enough 300 years ago, when assassination took its rank among political weapons; but those men murdered people whose disappearance was of real importance to the politics of the day. The murder of Henry IV. and of William the Silent seriously affected the political aspects of the time, and the blowing up of this House of Parliament, if it could have been effected, would have done much to further the object of the Jesuits of that day. But the peculiarity of these murderous outrages in Barcelona and Paris is that they are absolutely without object. They merely represent a love of blood and a desire to create suffering among others. I am very glad the Government have given this expression to their deep horror, which we all share. I will only add that I hope this expression of horror will not be without effect, and may be regarded as giving a pledge that if any international means can be devised by which this evil can be abated we shall not be backward in taking our share in them.