The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1896-05-09
The Government Asked to Inquire Into
the Matter.
The Court.rIartia1 for the Trial of the
rlen Who Were Captured by
Spanish Warship on the Alleged
Filibustering Schooner Competitor
Concluded, and the rlen Sentenced
to Death.
to Death.

LONDON, May S.-The House Of
Commons was crowded with members
and the press and strangers galleries
were filled with visitors to-day upon
the occasion of the presentation of the
colonial estimates.
Sir William Harcourt, the leader Of
the opposition, reminded the Govern
ment that an inquiry had been prom
Used with the object of ascertaining
whether the British South Africa Com
pany was in the hands of fit and proper
persons to be intrusted with the adj
ADMINISTRATION of the affairs of the COM
pany's territory. Continuing, he said
the trial of the members of the johann
nesburg Reform Committee in Pretoria
had disclosed important circumstances,
and the Government now owed the
country an authoritative statement
From paper kilograms which had been
interpreted and published he declared
that it was obvious that the whole al
fair had been conducted between Jo-
hannesburg and Cape Town by the
principal and responsible director Of the
British South Africa Company.
Sir William said that the whole story
was an inexpresibly revolving, sorcid
and squalid picture of stock-jobbing
1fllD6TldHSlI- ne duIl1lllCd lAhl ~AA
Chamberlain had been surrounded by
difficulties, and had shown courage and
decision worthy of his position, but the
question was what was the Government
going to do.
Mr.. Chamberlain, Colonial Secretary,
said the deplorable result of Jameson's
raid had been to jeopardiZe English
predominance in South Africa, and 1t
had also delayed the concord of the two
races, which was England's main pol
icy He was convinced, he said, that
there had been faults on both sides, but
until they got to the bottom of the mat
ter the Government could not properly
Judge the merits of the case. There had
been feuuept Boer invasions, he said,
not merely into territory outside OF the
Transvaal, but also into British terri
tory. Furthermore, the Beers had
shown a. great want of consideration
for the rights of the Uitlanders
NJ. Chamberlain further said har-
monious settlement of the question of
the rights of the Uitlanders had long
been Mr. Rhodes dearest object. If ne
could only have found a co-worker in
President Kruger the results would
have been beneficent in promoting the
federation of the South African States,
wherein local rights would nave peen
fully regarded. Though recent events
had sadly interfered with these obJec-
lions. their accomplishment still re-
manned the Governments chief aim
President Kruger's refusal to come to
England at the Governments request 10
modify the convention of 1854 had
ended the prospects of a private con-
ference upon the leading difficulties.
What then, he asked, ought 10 De the
right step? 1t had been suggested that
the Government ought to nave sent an
uitimatum to President Kruger rms
would certainly have been rejected, ana
would have led to war. The Govern
mont he declared, could not think of
resorting to war in order to enforce IN
ternal reforms in the Transvaal This
declaration was received with cries OF
Hear hear"
Mr.. Chamberlain said ne had not
threatened President Kruger at all, but
had claimed the right to make friendly
concentrations President Kruger
promised TO consider these representa-
lions. and the Government awaited the
fuIfillment of his promises. In the
meantime he had asked Sir Hercules
Robinson Governor of Cape Colony, to
come to England, but the request for
him to come was not intended as re-
call.
In regard to the Chartered Company,
he said he did not dispute the authen-
ticity of the cipher kilograms which the
Transvaal authorities had published,
although there We're as yet no legal
proofs that they indicated completely on
the part of the directors of the COM
pany CLEAR, hear') But. he continued,
as regards to the actual invasion of the
Transvaal there was reason to believe
that Mr.. Rhodes had expressed his dis
approval and had endeavored to stop
the raid Did the opposition, he asked.
demand the punishment of Mr.. Rhodes?
Whatever may have been Mr.. Rhodes
errors he had also rendered great serv-
ices which could not be forgotten. Mr..
Rhodes was now deprived OF power for
mischief, and the directors of the Char
tered Company had shown their conf
dence in him by deferring their accept
ance of his resignation.
Considering the disturbed state of
Rhodesia and the interference of Mr..
Rhodes in that territory. he did not
blame the directors for their show of
confidence. (Cheers) The Government,
he said, adhered to their promise to
make a searching inquiry into the ac-
held that such an inquiry must not be
opened until the judicial proceedings
connected with the Transvaal Were
ended. Then, he said, he would propose
an inquiry by joint committee of both
houses.
Henry Labouchere, who is a bitter
opponent of the British South Africa
Company, described the company as
gang of shady financiers who were run
ming gambling concern with the union
jack flying over it. Cecil Rhodes. he
said, had uttered deliberate falsehoods,
basely deceiving Governor Robinson.
and had, when Prime Minister of Cape
Colony, disgraced and dishonored the
high tradition that British Ministers did
not make money from their positions.
Mr.. Labouchere concluded by declaring
that he regretted the decision of Mr..
Chamberlain, who was fettered by the
Cabinet.
The debate was adjourned
The Times will publish tomorrow