24 JUNE 1876, Page 1

On Friday, in answer to a question from Mr. Bruce,

Mr. Disraeli again declined to give any information as to the policy of the Government. He fully appreciated the forbearance of the House; and could not think that Parliament would be prorogued without giving an opinion upon the conduct of Government ; but at present he could say nothing, except that the great Powers, however divided upon other points, had agreed that the new Sultan should not be unduly pressed until he had time to survey his position and decide upon his course—an announcement which will be received, no doubt, with satisfaction by the Christians he is slaughtering. Lord liartington submitted to the delay, but stated, with some significance, that he thought " the time had arrived when it would be prudent and politic for her Majesty's Government to make some further communications to the House." The Oppo- sition "thought it extremely desirable that there should be no further delay." It is evident, nevertheless, that the Ministry will delay their statement as long as they can, unless, indeed, some sudden event, such as the invasion of Servia, or the abdication of the Czar, or another revolution in Constantinople--all three of them possible contingencies—should render further reticence im- possible. It looks very much as if the Cabinet, though agreed up to a certain point, was seriously divided as to future policy, and did not want to be too definite.