Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-04-30

condemnation Of this war policy.
The secretary of state for the colonies,
Chamberlain, here entered the house
and amid cheers, Harcourt said: In
the presence of Mr.. Chamberlain, I re-
peat that it was a defeat Of an utterly
unjustifiable attempt to excite ill-feel-
ing. When we are asked to refuse q re-
duction Of the taxes of Great Britain
in order to contribute money to promote
wariike and aggressive operations in
South Africa Goh. OH, we oppose
most determined resistance. The pro-
posal to apply money to unjustifiable
purposes against the will Of the people
and government OF Cape Colony, is one
Of the most injurious things with refer
ence to the empire ever submitted TO the
house of commons"
CHAMBERLAIN TAKES UP THE FIGHT
Tells Harcourt His Language L. Dangerous
and PerniciOus.
Chamberlain said he had not expected
to have to reply to such ''pernicious and
dangerous language. He classed Har-
courts utterances as being "unpatriotic
in the highest degree. embarrassing to
the government and injurious to the
cause Of peace" Continuing, Chamber
lain asserted that Harcourt's statement
to the effect that the governments
policy had been rejected by the Cape
government and people was alb
solutely inaccurate. The policy Of the
government, he explained, had not
changed from the first. Only circuin-
stances had changed. to some extent.
The governments policy was to main
tain its obligations, not to engage in any
aggressive operations, nor to attack the
independence of q friendly state, but to
maintain our own rights and the rights
of the nation.
Il had hope" continued Chamberlain,
that our policy would continue to be
non-partisan. but that hope has disap-
peared in the face Of Sir williams
speech, and I now challenge him 10
raise the issue. [Cheers and counter
cheers.l Are the opposition prepared
to take issue with us when we say that
while We intend to observe our own
obligations we intend that obligations
toward us shall also be maintained. The
question between US and the Transvaal
Is not interference in the internal affairs
OF the Transvaal, nor an attack on the
Lordon convention upon our part; but
breaches Of the convention upon the
part of the Transvaal, and we are call
ing upon them in friendly terms to give
US satisfaction"
Harcourt here interrupted Chamber
lain by remarking: you are asking
for G2OO, O0O'
What nonsense," exclaimed Chamber
lain, holly.
Prolonged cheering greeted the sharp
answer Of the secretary, who continued:
I'VE ask for 100000 when everybody
knows the Transvaal is asking for
millions and for hundreds and hundreds
OF thousands. The Transvaal has been
arming to an extent absolutely unjusti-
fable by any ordinary policy of defense.
We have not complained, but the result
has been that the present ornaments of
the Transvaal are altogether dispro-
portiOnate to the defensive resources of
Cape Colony, and the Transvaal's arma-
ments. after expending considerably
ever million upon them, are still going
on. Batteries Of artillery and Maxim
guns. millions and millions Of cartridges
and hundreds of thousands of rifles
have been imported into the Transvaal."
Chamberlain concluded with saying:
Il do not believe there is a feeling to re-
pudiate the policy of the government. On
the contrary. believe the feeling of ev-
cry loyal British subject at the Cape to
be one OF gratitude and satisfaction with
her majesty's government. understand
that they recognize their position as the
representatives Of the paramount power
in South Africa, and are determined, in
the often used words, to maintain the
integrity Of all our rights under the con-
vention'"
The conclusion Of Chamberlain's re-
marks was the signal for a tremendous
outburst OF cheering upon the part Of
the Conservatives. The budget Of Sir
Michael Hicks-Beach will probably
prove popular. Although there is no re-
auction In taxation numerous postal tel
egraph reforms have been promised
reforms long and urgently needed
which will be a real boom to the COM
munfty. All such immediate interests.
however, are completely overshadowed
by the excited debate on the South Afri-
can situation. Harcourt's sudden and
vehement attack caused a tumult on the
Tory side of the house and the govern
ment front bench fell into animated
colloquy.
Balfour sent T. w. Russell to bring
chamberlain into the house. When the
coionial secretary arrived he was furious
80 NAN AoehAue 10 conceal MS rage.
Harcourt was saying, as Chamberlain
entered the chamber, IT have said this
was q war plot; repeat it in his pres
ence. This was war plot, a war plot
which missed fire"
Chamberlain snatched up a piece Of
paper and Balfour and Goshen, first lord
OF the admiralty. rapidly told him what
mad passed, while he made quick notes
OF Harcourts phrases. The excitement
OF the house was maintained at white
heat. with cheers and counter cheers
throughout both speeches.
Greeks Capture . Magazine.
Athens. April 30-The Greeks have
captured the magazine at Philpadia,
with large quantity Of ammunition
ana 10000 shells. There have been q
number Of minor slirmishes along the
line.
Turks Occupy Trikkala.
Athens. April 30.-A dispatch Just re-
ceived from Pharsalos dated yesterday
at p. m. says that q Turkish army
corps rom Larissa has occupied Trik-
kala unroxiefa6