The herald., 1897-08-05
Demanded Denunciation
of Treaties
COLONIES WANT PREFERENCE
AS A STEP TOWARD A CLOSER
UNION
The English South African Policy r
Attacked, and Rhodes Given q
Sharp Prodding
Associated Press Special Wire.

Associated }reSS special WIRE
LONDON. Aug. 4.-The secretary OF
state for the colonies, Mr. Chamberlain.
answering a question in the house Of
commons today on the subject Of the
denunciation of the treaties with Ger
many and Belgium, said the denuncia-
ton was the unanimous wish of the self
governing colonies, who desired to deal
with the United Kingdom on preferen-
tial terms. Mr.. Chamberlain added that
at the conference between the colony
premiers and himself a resolution was
passed unanimously, the substance be-
ing that the premiers of the eelf-gov-
erned colonies heartily recommendedt the
earliest denunciation of the treaties, ana
this was accompanied by an important
and significant eslution-namely, that
in the hope of improving the trade rela-
tions between the mother country and
the colonies, the premiers present un-
dertook to confer with their colleagues
as to what result could be secured by a
preference given by the colonies to the
products of the United Kingdom.
On receipt Of these instructions, Mr..
Chamberlain further explained, her mai
esty's government resolved Immediately
to withdraw the treaties with Germany
and Berlin.
The secretary of state for the colonies
said also that the law officials Of the
crown were now considering the ques-
tion whether the resolution of the Ca
madam parliament infringed these treat
les.
The Canadian government, Mr.. Cham
berlain said, had asked to be allowed
to be represented before the law officers
of the crown. This was unusual, but
the request of the government Of Can
ada had been granted
In conclusion Mr.. Chamberlain as
sured the house that the action Of Canada
in this matter was not a step toward
separation, but distinctly movement
against separation, the intention being
to show gratitude and to prove the 10y
atty of the colonies.
SOUTH AFRICAN POLICY
The South African policy of the Brit
sh government was subjected to an at
tack in the house of commons today
by Sir Wilfred Lawson, Liberal, who
also gave Cecil Rhodes sharp prod
ding Calling attention to the attitude
of the secretary of state, Mr.. Chamber
lain, toward South Africa, Sir Wilfred
Lawson classed the latter's policy az
being dangerous and destructive to our
reputation abroad"
In referring to Cecil Rhodes, Sir Will
fred remarked that the ex-premier Of
Cape Colony was guilty of treachery,
betrayal Of his sovereign and ,disloyalty
to his colleagues.
Continuing, Sir Wilfred explained that
Mr.. Rhodes guilt consisted in falsely
writing a letter which was very like
forgery, Involving bloodshed. murder
and confusion in many parts of the
world"
"And yet" added Sir Wilfred, "all has
been indorsed by. Mr.. Chamberlain, who
has placed the house of commons in the
degrading position of declaring Mr..
Rhodes to be an honorable man, and
making Great Britain the laughing stock
of all nations
Mr.. Chamberlain, replying to Sir Will
fred Lawson, declined to reopen ''ques-
tions which were regarded as settled"
He added: GAS to submitting disputes
with the Transvaal to arbitration 1t
would be an extraordinary course to sub
init to a foreign tribunal a dispute be-
tween a suzerain and a subordinate
state"
THE INDIAN REVOLT
BOMBAY, Aug. 4.-Gangdahar Tilak,
the native member of the executive
council and publisher of the Kesari, who
was formally committed for trial ON
Monday last charged with melting the
natives to disaffection, has been admit
ted to bail in the sum of 100,0 900 rupees
The magistrate who heard the charges
refused to admit the prisoner to bail
and the latter was compelled to make
application to the higher court judges
for an order requiring the authorities
10 release him on bail, pending his trial.