New-York tribune., 1897-07-27
CHAMBERLAIN A FREE MAN.
FOR EIGHTEEN MONTHS HE FELT LIKE
JUDGE, WITNESS AND DEFENDANT.
MOTION REFLEcTING on THE SELECT SOUTH
AFRICA COMMITTEE DEFEATED BY \
HOUSE OF COMMONS.

AFRICA COMMITTEE DEFEATED BY
VOTE Or 94 TO - IN THE
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
London, July &-The House OF Commons was
crowded this afternoon in expectation of spirited
debate on the report OF the Select South Africa
committee, appointed TO inquire into the crcum-
stances OF DIR. Jamesons raid into the Transvaai
and into the general conduct of affairs of the Brit
ish South Africa Chartered Company. The Peer
esses Gallery and the Ladies' Gallery were crowded
with well-known women who showed the liveliest
interest in the proceedings.
After number of questions, the Hon. Philip
James Stanhope Radical member for Burnley.
moved, amid loud Radical cheers. resolution that
The House regretted the inconclusive character or
the report OF the committee. more particularly Its
iallure to recommend that specific steps be taken
win regard to the admitted completely OF Cecil
Rhodes and asking that Mr. Hawkesley the at
torney Of Rhodes. be ordered to attend at the bar
of the House and TO produce the kilograms which
he refused TO show to the committee
Mr.. Stanhope. who has been described as "a revo-
lutionary arisocrat without being Mrabeau
supported his resolution in vigorous speech lie
attacked the Chartered Company, Joseph Cham
berain, Secretary of State for the Colonies, and
Cecil Rhodes. and expressed desire that the latter
should be deposed from his membership in the
Privy Council He also wanted the charter OF the
company materially modified
Henry Labcuchere spoke in the same strain lie
SAID he thought that If Canada should be radod by
the Secretary Of State of the United States without
the assent Of the President England would not be
satisfied If the Secretary of State treated as
Cecil Rhodes had been.
Sir Michael Hicks Beach. Chancellor OF the Ex-
chequer. said that the Government would have
consider whether Rhodes should remain in the Privy
Council. But in dealing with him 1t must take into
consideration the services he had rendered gener-
ally. All the damaging rumors alleging completely
on the part Of the Colonial Office had been exploded
as fast they had been produced.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt the Liberal leader.
defended the committee and said that ne thought
the report conclusive on all important points. lie
stIonsiy defended Mr. Chamberlain and declared
that ms action at the time the raid occurred dis
proved all inslnuaiiOnS completely. The charges
that the committee had plotted suppress certain
ne wouIq not I'VE TO see the day when majority
OF the House should declare by vote that they did
not trust the word OF its statesmen.
Sir II. Campbell Bannerman, Liberal Member for
the Stirring District supported the committees re-
port.
Mr.. Chamberlain reminded the Opposition that
1t was due to their insistence that the com
had been made member of it. He had been in a
position. he said. In which he felt like judge. wit
the sympathy of the House from the fact that
curing the eighteen months of difficult South
stant. irresponsible charges and suspicious and
he was glad that he was able TO speak at last a
As to the telegrTams, he said, he had nothing
tained evidence against the Colonial Office.
He was convinced that while Cecil Rhodes's fault
was great a politician and statesman could
commit, there nothing that affected MS per-
sonal character as man OF honor 1t was said
that he had deceived others. So also dd Carl
baldi, Cavour and other patriots 1t was mill
tary necessity. Mr.. Labouchere. by bringing out
rageous charges against Rhodes. Belt and Harris.
had abused the privilege OF Parliament.
The speaker contended that Rhodes had already
been heavily punished. The Government not
going TO prosecute him. and to deprive him of his
Privy Councillorship. which had been conferred
upon him for his great services. would ALLEVIATE his
loyalty 10 South Africa
Mr. Chamberlain said he glad to be able
to state that the position of South Africa
better now than it had been at any time since
the raid. and President Kruger was desirous to
meet the Government in a proper spirit. He be-
lieved that the time was not far distant when
Rhodesia would have self-government.
A vote was then taken, and Mr.. Stanhopes mo-
ton was lost-S04 to Il.
Mr. Chamberlain announced that the charter OF
the company would not be revoked but that means
would be taken strengthen the directorate so as
TO secure more direct imperial control of Rhodesia.
He preparing a scheme which he expected would
be put in temporary shape before Parliament met