The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-19
he Says Britain Has Been Modest in
Grabbing Territory.

LIVERPOOL, Jan 1S.-The Liverpool
Chamber of Commerce gave a banquet to-
night to TT. Hon Joseph Chamberlain,
secretary OF state for the colonies. Lord
Stratheona and Mount Royal were also pres
ent. Mr.. Chamberlain was greeted with an
ovation. and a special cheer was given for
Mrs. Chamberlain. who was with him. Mr..
Chamberlain. in the course of a vigorous
and important speech, referred to the great
changes in commerce during the last TWEEN
u years. since the great powers were
bitten with the megalcmania, with which
the Germans are accustomed to taunt US
as If it were our exclusive popularity, the
German Empire has increased six-fold and
the French four-fold. while England" he
said, has only added a modest third to her
colonial empire"
Answering the argument that 1t is useless
to colonize barren wastes, he pointed to the
magnificent enterprise of the Canadian Pa
ciac Railway. that had opened up a vast
country of the greatest wheat fields, and
was about to open what were, perhaps, the
greatest gold fields in the world. Looking
TO the certainty" he said, that we are
likely to be excluded by hostile tariffs from
any country where the British flag does not
uOai, our present poncy is TO take very
1rTE attitude and to maintain free markets.
What the foresight of our ancestors has
done for us in building a great empire we
must continue to do for our successors. This
IS not the policy of aggression or lawless-
ness. We have threeIOld duty: First, TO
keep what rightly belongs to us; second, IN
Lord Rosebery's admirable words, to peg
out claims Tor posteTity,' and third If any
one tries TO rush those claims, gently to
prevent Them daughter and cheers.)
Referring 10 the TACT that our sacrifice of
territory and our general forbearance and
Difference TO the sensibilties of our allies
have only resulted in our being told that
We are the best hated nation in Europe
he repeatd Lord Salisbury's warning, there
is q lint to this forbearance." Then came
the weightiest portion of the speech. Mr..
Chamberlain reviewed a length the West
Indian question and the report of the royal
commission thereon, and emphasized the
great injury of the bounty system, which,
while running the West Indies. brings
gain estimated at e. 900 900 yearly to Great
Britain The government, he said, be
ueved the country generous and Just
enough TO remedy this crying injustice" He
was glad that Belgium had anticipated
Great Britain in calling q conference on the
coed better than former confer
pnces. There were many objections
he continued, to countervailing
duties, which would Involve us in CONNER
but the main objection was that while the
trade they wished to save amounted to
10000 tons. Great Brtains own sugar i'm
ports amounted to 100000 tons. 1t seemed
unscientihc to benefit the former by injuring
the latter. Therefore, he said, the gov
eminent has decided to exhaust every alter
native before having recourse to such
drastic measure, and feeling that the rec
good, would not work quickly enough, the
chancellor of the exchequer has consented
10 propose to Parliament a very large grant
In aid to the West Indies"