The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-05-31 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

In the HOUSE OF LORDS, May 2% Lord Cranbrook
announced that a telegram had that day been received from
Major Cavagivirt stating that he had signed a treaty with the
Ameer of Cahill. The announcement was received with
cheers.
The Earl of Beaconsfield then rose and said :—lt may be
convenient and perhaps interesting to your lordships to
know that Her Majesty has been pleased to appoint
Lieutenant-General Sir Garnet Wolseley to be Governor of
Natal and the Transvaal, and to be High Commissioner and
Commander-in-Chief in those colonies and in the lands ad-
!went to the north and east of those colonies in South
Africa. I believe that at this time Sir Bartle Frere ha
ireturned to Cape Town; and Sir Bartle Frere will exercise
the power which he possesses in that colony and in all the
adjacent dependencies and regions attached. I ought,
Perhaps, to remind your lordships, which is necessary in
considering these matters, that the distance between the
Seat of Sir Bartle Frere's authority and the seat of war is
Upward of 1,000 miles. Papers explanatory of these arrange-
Ments will be immediately placed on four lordships' table.
(Cheers.)
Lord Kimberley asked whether Sir Garnet Wolseley would
have the supreme military command.
Lord Beaconsfieid replied that the rank which Sir Garnet
held would give him immediately the supreme command;
but he did not contemplate that the statement he had just
made would deprive the country of the services of Lord
Chelmsford.
Lord Galloway moved a Resolution condemning the
Military system of brigade depots, which gave rise to a
debate, but an assurance having been given that the whole
subject would be dealt with by the Committee about to be.
appointed to inquire Into the organisation and expenditure
of the army, the Resolutions were withdrawn, and their
nrdships adjourned.

In the DOUSE OF COMmoNS, the Chancellor of the Exche-
quer rose and said: After full consideration of the condition
Of Affairs in South Africa, Her Majesty's Government have
decided that the arrangements nun& which the chief civil
and military authority in the neighbourhood of the seat of
Wor is distributed among four different persons can no
longer be deemed adequate to the requirements of the pre-
lent juncture. They have therefore decided on appointing
Sir Garnet Wolseley to the superior civil and military
command in Natal, the Transvaal, and the native terri-
tories to the northward and eastward of these colonies' now
the seat of war. (Cheers ) It will be remembered that this
district is at a distance of more than 1,000 miles from Cape
Town, where, during the approaching Session of the Cape
?ornament, Sir Bartle Frere must be engaged on important
and pressing affairs. (Hear, hear.) Papers will at once be
laid on the table explaining the precise nature of the change
lad the reasons for it. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. W. E. Forster said he did not quite gather from what
tell from the right hon. gentleman whether the Transvaal
was to be under the new arrangement or not.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reply, said that Sir
G. Wolseley was to be Governor of Natal and the Trans-
s..,l.

The announcement was received with much cheering,
esPecialli from the Opposition benches, and subsequently, in
3u3swer to a question from Mr. Sullivan, Sir M. Hicks-Beach
laid he was not aware what ground Bishop Colens() had for
forming the opinion that Cetywayo was anxious to receive
germs of peace, but since the publication of the Blue-books
only two messages had been received from the Zulus, one
from certain Indunas, and the other from Cetywa3 o, who
bad been told that a flag of truce would be at any time
received at Lord Chelmsford's camp.
After all the other questions had been asked Sir R. Peel
reverted to the subject, and asked whether it was to be
Understood that confidence had been withdrawn from the
Commander-in-Chief; whether Sir 11. Bulwer was to ne
tuPerseded ; and also whether it was true that Sir Bartle
arere had intimated his intention not to resign.

Before these questions were answered Mr. Sullivan moved
the adjournment of the House, in order to ask whether the
aPPointment of Sir Garnet Wolseley signified a new policy,
or whether the invasion of Zululand was to be prosecuted
for the idle purpose of vindicating our military reputation:
and Mr. Chamberlain, in sec3nding the motion, asked
Whether Sir Garnet Wolseley would go out as a messenger of
peace or to prosecute with more violence an unjust and un-
necessary war.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer said that Sir Garnet
Wolseley would be Governor of Natal and High Corn-
Inissioner for the affairs of the Native Tribes. No answer
Lad yet been received from Sir Bartle Frere to the despatch
In which the views of the Government a 3 to the commence-
tuent of tin .war were contained; and as to Sir Garnet
Wolseley's instructions, full information would be found in
&he Papal's about to be laid on the table.

Sir B. Peel expressed his entire satisfactioilat the state-
nt of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, affd urged the
"cvernment to take the earliest opportunity of petting
an end to the war; and the conversation was contineed by
84 11 Haveloek, who asked what would be Lord
Chelmsford's position under the new arrangement; and
by Mr. Waddy, who pressed for some assurance that peace,
fad not a war of extermination, was intended. Mr. W. E.
Forster also joined in the appeal to the Government to give
tile House some further information as to the policy which
Hir Garnet Wolseley was to carry out.
Colonel Stanley said no one could be more anxious than
thS Government to bring the war to a close at -the very
earliest possible moment consistent with the safety of the
Colony and the honour of our arms. Sir Garnet Wolseley's
bletructions would be framed in that spirit, and it was hoped
With his experience of South Africa, he would be able to give
Rich a turn to affairs in the colony as would speedily lead to a
conclusion of peace. As to extermination, there was not a
angle word in the despatches of the Government which would
rgßest such an idea. As to the position of Lord Chelms-
L°rd. as he was junior in the Army to Sir Garnet Wolseley,
"0 would have to subordinate his plans and his general
action to his superior officer; but in placing the supreme
eel:amend, civil and military, in one hand there was no in-
tention to imply the smallest censure on Lord Chelmsford.
Mr. Whitbread, while admitting that these assurances
were satisfactory as far as they went, thought the text of Sir
Gareet Wolseley's instructions ought to be laid before the
Tionse at once; but the Chancellor of the Exchequer said
LIM, was impossible, as they were not yet drawn up. Mr.
.whitbread replied that, at any rate, the substance ought to
Re produced, and the House ought to refuse to separate for
lee holidays until this was done.
.„ After several- other members had spoken, Sir M. Hicks-
aeach, replying to a question from Sir J. Goldsmid, said the
tters would explain thoroughly the relative position of the
lonial officials under the new arrangement, and also would
1'44 establish the absolute necessity for vesting the sole civil
military control in one person. With regard to Sir Garnet
n'obteley's Instructions, to read them now to the House
Would lead to their publication in the colony before tha
arrival of the officer who was to carry them out, and might
throw difficulties in the way of attaining the end which all
cleared. They would be consistent with the desire always
eXpressed by the Government to arrive at a honourable
Desce, and so far from extermination or any measure which
naght drive the Zulus to desperation being contemplated,
Garnet Wolseley would be told that it was the object of the
ueyernment not to extend British territory, but to secure tha
safety of what we already possessed He would be in-
attnareel to receive any bond fidis overtures which might be
Made to him by the Zulu King.
4,111 e Marquis of Harlington thought this etarement satin
:„..017, anti as much as could be expected from the Govern
"met at the present moment, though it might have been
all!l_tde without so much pressure. Be entirely approved the
&tap which the Government had taken, and maintained
imat it entirely justified the action of the Opposition.
..,_4•fter some further conversation, Mr. Snlliyan withdrew
motion, intimating that he should oppose tbo motion for
r_Jciu•nment unless the substance of the instructions with
'nal to negotiations for peace were stated.
Before proceeding to the Orders of the Day the Chancellor
ot the Exchequer announced, amid much cheering, that a
te.,legram bad just been received from the Viceroy stating
Euat a Treaty of Peace with the Ameer had been signed by
Mal
Cavagnari that day.
_The House then went into Committee of Supply, and was
Raged for five hours and a half in discussing the Prisons
62:e, and at half-past twelve o'clock Mr. O'C. Power moved
aPert progress. After some conversation, however, he
•anisented to withdraw his opposition, and the vote was
Meee to, as was also a vote on account of £1,101,400 for
Civil Service and Revenue Departments.
bcnce other business was disposed of, and the House ad-
scUrned at five minutes past one o'clock.

„ In the HOUSE OF LOnD3, May 27, Lord Cadogan, replying
%Lord Carnaryou, stated that neither Sir Henry Butwer
or Colonel Lanyon had been recalled from or superseded In
their offices
be and Natal and the Transvaal would continue to
ad
_ ininisitered as separate colonies. Sir Bartle Frere
rnamission had not been revoked with a view to its being
'dulled in an altered form, and he would continue to
exercise authority in the territories included in that
sew:omission, except those which were now put under the
lzrisdiction of Sir Garnet Wolseley.
lai
In answer to a question by Lord Kimberley, Lord Cadogan
d...that the instructions given to kdr Garnet Wolseley
Znnici not be published just now, as if they were they would
_ttelegraphed to the Cape before the arrival there cf the
'Meer who,is to carry them out.
asThe Lord Chancellor, in moving the second Reading of the
frosecution of Offences Bill, explained that it was not in-
anned that the Director of Public Prottecutions, who would
etsappeinted under the Bill, should carry on prosecutions in
uer than exceptional cases, such as large commercial
unclean d the like.
_ In the Disqualification by Medical Relief Bill, the Duke of
Stichmend and Gordon carried an amendment, by which
Iglnons receiving medical relief from unions can retain their
ght to the franchise by repaying to the Guardians the cost
et Ruch sew.
The Earl of Camperdown having called attention to the
ln_tesent condition of the Naval Dapartment of the Admiralty,
rd asked when it is intended to undertake the reorganisa-
ls'eb ef the office, the Duke of Richmond said a scheme had
sanctioned, and a committee appointed to carry it out
e„linving transacted some other business and advanced
„I;Yeral Bills a stage, their lordships adjourned at twenty
tnUtes peat seven o'clock.
In th sir
slatw. e.
- sE OF COKIIONS, Mr. Bourke, in reply to Mr.
ashi"r, said there was nothing in the communications
_ ch had taken place between France and England to give
~tmund for the allegation that there la any difference what-
the Egypt. '"e Policy of the two Governments with regard to
h °l4waY having further asked whether the Government
na ' received any communications relating to the hostile
icirne of cerain French papers, Mr. Bourke replied that if
°lwaY referred to communications between the Foreign
cenef'lea and our Ambassador at Pans, of course they were
boPOflffential and he could give no information about them
what he had already said.
ss. answer to Sir J. Goldsmid, the Chancellor of the Ex-
rLeGiner ;said Colonel Grieve had been appointed to carry on
`"e (*arnet Vtrolteley's duties in Cyprus.
In a-
acco newer to Me W. Lawson, Colonel Stanley stated that
the "Ing to the latest figures received from South Africa
cam °timber of troops, British and Colonial, killed in the
Pailgn was 1,186, and the number of deaths by disease 86.
Sullivan having asked for further information as to
he • tenour t of Sir G. Woleeley's instructions in reference to
e e f
Peace, the Chancellor of the Ex
nent the obj chequer said
sct of the Government was not to encourage
alaPteee
a'n elation but to bring about an honourable peace as
tdily
possible, such as snight be contistent with the
cas c`f the Colony, and Sir G. Wo:seley would be instru sted
ix_ !fatly to consider an bond fide eve:titres which might be
133' Cetywayo.
nabs'
Whit claenilY, on the motion for adjournment over the
• Ilruatide holidays Mr. Sullivan returned to the subject
tt,;tCltressed a hop that the Government would give some
bear r assurance of its readiness to reciprocate the for-
par etnne which Cetywayo has shown In not invading
erritories before the arrival of our reinforcements
latto ing Peace at once. This gave rise to a 9onver-
bun.l4‘hich occupied more than two hours, and Mr. Is.natoh-
last lingessen, who followed Mr. Sullivan, while congratu-
n_ ng the Government on coming over to the policy of the
aposition, thought it unwise to press them further as to de-
Matt veun- After some inquiries from Sir J. Goldemid as to the
Positions of Sir B. Frere and Sir G. Woleeley,
I.orl Elcho expressed a strong opinion that scant justice
been done to Sir B. Frere and that sufficient allowance
the on,v ben made for the grave danger which threatened
Cates; "Y• In dwelling on these, Lord Elcho character.zed
'wer -a” a " cruel and crafty gorilla," at which there
..„ e cries
oe below of " Shame " and " Withdraw " from the other
al th
the e gangway, end described in vivid language
aavage tortures and punishments inflicted on
et fri lt, People and the atrocities committed on the bodies
wur4 sain at Isandlana. Be hoped that Sir G Wols,ley
take_ Pot be too much fettered as to the measures to be
:11!or bringing about a settlement which would secure
_af.ety of our colonists. As to an annexation policy, he
abLy n_nlY regarded it as merciful to the Zulus. but as inevit-
,,,,.'ettowoner or later, and he predicke4 that Me time wO/4d.
ss-s`f.9.. hen our Zulu troops would Occupy in Africa the same
wention as the Goorkhas in India.
aplie,jr• Gladstone, while regretting the tone of Lord Elcho's
aiderck joined with him in claiming for Sir B. rere con-
, talon and sympathy in the difficulties in which he had
peen
Placed • and though he was unable to concur itchis
a as to So'uth Africa, he was convinced that when be re-
"wiled to this cou,ntry he would continue to attract to him-
self the admiration of his iellow-countryinen. At this there

were loud cries of "No" from below the gangway, and
counter cheers from the otlar side; and Mr. Gladstone
w Alt on to say, with reef% to the particular ques-
tion before the House, that, considering the many diffi-
culties with which the Government had to deal, he should
not feel that he was discharging his duty to the country if
he pressed them for any declarations whatever. Adverting
to L9rd E'cho's speech, he maintained that our dealings
with Cetywayo must be regulated by his relations to our-
selves and not by his cruelties to his own people, and agree-
ing that when the safety of the Colony was assured the
Government ought to be guided by considerations of mode-
ration and mercy, he doubted whether that end would be
obtained by pressing the Government further now.
After some remarks from Mr. Benne Cochrane, Mr. Cham-
berlain announced that under the circumstances he should
withdraw from the Order Book the Resolution of which he
had given notice.
After some observations from Sir R. Peel, Mr. Courtney
inquired what policy was to be pursued towards the Traan-
avast Boers, to which
The Chancellor of the Exchequer replied that at the pre-
sent moment the Government was expecting despatches from
Sir B. Frere on this point. With regard to the question
before the House, though he was not disposed to take
exception to the tone of the discussion, he cou!d not enter
into it as freely as others, because he had to consider
not merely the effect in this country of what might be said,
but also its effects in the colony. There had been no new
departure in policy. The Government had never been in
favour of a policy of annexation or revenge, but their main
object had always been to establish secure and satisfactory
relations for the protection of her Majesty's subjects in that
part of the world.
- - •• • -

Sir C. Mike was of opinion that the Government had not
stated tne true reason for the change in policy, and, after
some remarks from Mr. Rylinds, Sir G. Balfour warmly de-
fended Sir B. Frere, who, he said, had been thrown over by
the Government; but
-

Sir SI. Hicks-Beach protested that nothing of the kind had
been done, as would be seen from the papers, which would
also show that Sir B. Frere and Sir G. Wolseley would not
interfere with each other's functions in any way. They would
also set forth the reasons which, in the opinion of the
Government, made it absolutely necessary that the
supreme military and naval command in the neighbourhood
of the seat bf war should be concentrated in one hand.
Chief among them was the consideration that the seat of
war was 1,000 miles distant from Cape Town, where the
presence of Sir B. Frere was called for by the settlement of
various important questions.

Sir W. Harcourt remarked that all these reasons existed
just as strongly two months ago when the Government re-
fused to recall Sir B. Frere, and after Mr. Parnell had given
notice that he would oppose with "all the forms of the
House" any vote for the Zulu War until the actual terms
of peace had been stated, the subject dropped.
Mr. O'Donnell, Mr. Parnell, Mr, O'Connor Power, Mr. J.
M.'Carthy, and Mr. Sullivan made some remarks on the sub-
ject ot depression of agriculture in Ireland, and after a brief
reply from Mr. J. Lowther, the motion for adjournment was
agreed to.
After some other business, the House adjourned at ten
minutes to seven o'clock until June 9