Mr. W. H. Smith, in reply, declined to appoint a
Commission to investigate the Stanley expedition, and mentioned that Lord Salisbury is negotiating with the United States on the subject of the Behring Sea seal-fisheries, and declared that, though the negotiations were not very far advanced, "there is no reason whatever to apprehend any ultimate difficulty in coming to an understanding." The Government had pressed the Porte on the Armenian question. As to the statement that Ireland had improved under the firm administration of justice, Mr. W. H. Smith did not think it reasonable to expect that a Royal Speech should always echo the feeling of the Opposition as well as of the party in power. After a very few remarks from other Members, the reply of the House to the Address from the Throne was voted without a division, and the House adjourned at a quarter past 10. Nobody felt any interest in anything but the struggle round Mr. Parnell ; and when no one feels any interest in obstruction, obstruction will not take place. The voting of the reply to the Address within a few hours of its being moved is a satisfaction which we have not en- joyed for a great number of years.
