The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-08-05
PRODDED CECIL RHODES.
British South African Policy De.
nOunced.
SENSATIONAL ATTACK BY SIR
WILFRED LAWSON.

Joseph Chamberlain's Policy Classed as
Dangerous and Destructive to Our Rep
utation Abroad'-Mr. Chamberlain De-
clines to Reopen the Question.
| London, August 4.-The South African
policy of the British government was
subjected to an attack in the House of
Commons today by Sir Wilfred Lawson,
Liberal member for the Cockermouth
of the United Kingdom alliance for the
suppression of the liquor traffic, who also
gave Mr.. Cecil Rhodes a sharp prodding.
| Calling attention to the attitude of the
secretary of the state for the colonies, Mr.
Joseph Chamberlain, towards South Afri-
ca. Sir Wilfred Lawson classed the lat
ter's policy as being dangerous and de-
structive to our reputation abroad
| Continuing, Sir Wilfred Lawson ex-
planned that Mr.. Cecil Rhodes's guilt con-
sisted in falsely dating letter which
was very like forgery, involving blood
shed, murder and confusion in many parts
of the world.
"Yet," added Sir Wilfred, call has
been endorsed by Mr.. chamberlain, who
has placed the House of Commons in the
degrading position of declaring Mr..
Rhodes to be an honorable man, thus
making Great Britain the laughing stock
of all nations''
l hQr Ioir ~, t.C H.
fred Lawson, declined to reopen tques-
lions which were regarded as settled
| He added: Gas to submitting dis.
plltes with the Transvaal to arbitration,
1t would be an extraordinary course to
submit to foreign tribunal dispute be-
tween suzerain and subordinate state. y
Mr.. Chamberlain, answering to a ques-
tion on the subject of the denunciation
| by the government of Great Britain of
the treaties of commerce with Germany
and Belgium, said the denunciation was
the unanimous wish Of the self governing
colonies who desired to deal with the
United Kingdom on preferential terms.
Mr.. Chamberlain added that at the con-
ference between the colonial premiers and
himself, a resolution was passed unani-
mously, the substance being that the pre-
miers OF the self-governing colonies
heartily recommended the earliest de-
nunciation of the treaties as halnpering
the trade of Great Britain and her col
onies, and that 1t was accompanied by an
important and significant resolution,
namely, that in the hope of improving
the trade relations between the mother
country and the colonies the premier5
present undertook to confer with their
colleagues as to what result could be se-
cured by a preference given by the colo
nies to the products of the United King
dom.
| Upon receipt of these resolutions, Mr..
Chamberlain further explained, her ma
jesty's government resolved to immedi
ately withdraw the treaties with Ger
many and Belgium. The secretary of
state for the colonies also said that the
law Iotficers of the crown were non con-
sidering the question whether the solu-
fringed these treaties. The Canadian
government, Mr.. Chamberlain added
| had asked to be allowed to be represented
before the Law officers of the crown.
This was unusual, the colonial secretary
explained, but the request of the govern
ment of Canada had been granted.
In conclusion, Mr.. Chamberlain assured
| the House that the action of Canada in
this matter was not step towards sepa-
| ration, but was distinctly a movements
against separations, the intention being
to show gratitude and prove the LOYALTY
of the colonies.
No Intention of Making Trouble.
Constantinople, August 4-The second
squadron Of Turkish warships, consisting
of seven vessels commanded by Hari
Pasha, which sailed from the Dardanelles
yesterday, has arrived at Sigri, Island of
Mitylene.
Referring to the fears expressed here
I, -
might lead to collision with the inter
national fleet in Cretan waters, in view
of the announcement of the foreign ad-
mirals that they have decided to oppose
the landing Of Turkish reinforcements in
the island of Crete, the Turkish newspa-
pers says that the squadron has only been
ordered to carry out evolutions in the
islands Of the Archipelago.
Foreign War ships Ready.
Canea, Island of Crete, August 4.-On
the receipt of the news that the Turkish
squadron from. the Dardenelles was
coming into these waters the foreign war
ships got up steam and the international
troops on shore have taken measures to
anticipate any possible complications.
The report and these preparations have
greatly excited the Mussulmans.
Preparing to Crush Crete.
London, August "A dispatch from
Constantinople this evening says the
greatest activity is displayed at the Vildiz
Kiosk. Ministers are summoned to the
presence of the Sultan at all hours of the
day and night. The military commission
is busy discussing special measures and
the ordering of further supplies of war
material, which it is believed are destined
| for Crete. Djevad Pasha, theI new
military commandant has called for
troops and munitions in order to crush
| the Christian rebellion.
A Marquis Crushed to Death.
Paris, August 4.-The Marquis de
| Bouthillier was crushed to death today
between a moving tram car and the
palisading around the new buildings in
the process of construction for the Paris
exhibition of 1900.
The marquis wife was one of the vic
Tins of the terrible fire which DESTROYED