The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-30
TO BE INVESTIGATED.
Parliamentary Committee Will In
Quire Into the Trursxaal Raid.

LONDON, Jan. 29.-In the House of Com
mons. to-day. James NJ. MacLean, Con-
sentative, representing the district of Car
diff, withdrew his amendment TO Mr.. Cham
berlain's motion of yesterday for the re-
appointment of a parliamentary committee
to inquire into the administration of South
Africa, and, incidentally, into the Trans
vaal raid. Mr.. MacLean's amendment re-
cited that i'm view of the peaceful settle
ment of the South African question and the
punishment of the Transvaal raiders. it
would be inexpedient to reopen the matter,
and that there was no necessity to reap
point the committee. He urged that the
great public service of Col. Cecil Rhodes
and the fact that he succeeded in pre-
venting the compact between the Trans
vaal and Germany from becoming a settled
fact" absolved Colonel Rhodes from all
blame.
This amendment was withdrawn to-day
after Mr.. Chamberlain had made a state
ment in which he declared that the situa-
ton in South Africa had undoubtedly be-
come most critical during the last few
months. There had been, he explained. a
recrudescence of unrest. Recent legisla-
ton of the Transvaal was partly contrary
TO the convention of London, and President
Kruger had not kept his promise to give
full and favorable consideration of the
grievances of the population. Continuing,
MI CudIlpeIIdlH Sdlu tHdl ne ulu not Didille
President Kruger personally; he only
wished the Presidents hands TO be
strengthened in his policy. The chartered
company. he added, had no reason to fear
an inquiry, and he believed the company
would be able to show a good case. Mr..
Chamberlain then remarked: IAN inquiry
into the origin of the raid will be a sham
unless it carefully inquired into the uit-
landers' grievances, and this opens up pit
falls of difficulties. Nevertheless, the gov
eminent will press the reaDpointment of a
committee, with an increase of its number
to seventeen. in order to enable Irish men,
bers TO be represented"
Replying to Sir George. B~aden-Powell
member for the kirkdale division of Liver
pool, Mr.. Chamberlain confirmed the report
that the premier of Cape Colony, in COM
mon with all the other colonial premiers
throughout the British empire. had been
invited to visit the Queen on the occasion
of her diamond jubilee. Mr.. Chamberlain
added that the premierS of Canada. Cape
Colony and Natal had already accepted.
In each case the wife of the premier. his
personal staff and a detachment of troops
from the colony he represents are included
in the invitation.
The president of the board of trade, G.
II. Richie. replying in the House of Com
mons to n question regarding the reguia-
tons of the Washington conference for pre-
venting collisions at sea, said they had
been submitted to all the powers repre-
with the exception of Venezuela. which had
not replied. MIR. Richie added that he was
aware of the opposition to somC features
of these regulations: but. in view OF the
exhaustive discussion and consideration OF
the matter, the government was not pre-
pared TO depart IN any way from the po-
sition taken up by the powers.