The herald., 1898-06-11
CHAMBERL LAINSSPffCH
COMES IN FOR A SHARE OF
CRITICISM
THE SECRETARY is CHEERED
For Insisting That an Anglo-Saxon
Alliance Would Be Good for
Civilization
Associated Press Special Wire

LONDON, June 1O-Sir Charles Dixie, in
the house of commons today, moving re-
duction in the foreign office vote, attacked
the Marquis of Salisbury's foreign policy
of concession. Referring to the United
States, he said:
Our better relations with the United
of her majestys ambassador at Washing
ton (Sir Julian Pauncefote) for the gov
ernment's policy has been rash and feeble.
$very one will welcome an alliance of
hearts with America, but no alliance could
be war alliance
Continuing, Sir Charles said he did not
secretary of state for the colonies, of an al
lance with Germany.
The parliamentary secretary for the for
to the good influence of the British ambas-
sador at Washington. But he asserted that
credit was due not merely to the ambassa-
dor or to the exigencies of the moment, but
to Lord Salisbury's friendly calm and dis
passionate attitude during the discussion
of difficult matters with America two years
ago."
Mr.. Curzon added: IAN arbitration treaty
will some day be accomplished"
>chis statement was greeted with cheer
ing.
Answering question, Mr.. Curzon said
the subjects to be referred to the arbitra-
ton commission all relate to questions be-
tween Canada and the United States, but,
he added, some of them are of imperial in
terest No decision, he continued, had yet
been reached regarding the appointment
of commissioners, and he said he did not
know whether the agreement must be SUBJ
mitted to the senate of the United States
Sir William Vernon Harcourt, the Liberal
leader in the house of commons, asking in
formation as to the foreign policy of the
government, proceeded to criticise at
length the recent speech of Mr. Chamber
lain. secretary of state for the colonies, at
birmingham He referred ironically to the
''pitiful spectacle of the secretary of state
for the colonies standing, cap in hand, be-
fore the powers and seeking for an alliance,
remarking, The Chinese question must be
settled in friendship and concert with
Russia" He asked whether it would not
have been better for Mr.. Chamberlain to
postpone his insults to Russia" until the
talked-of alliance had been secured.
Mr.. Chamberlain who. on rising to re-
ply was received with government cheers
and Irish Nationalist Kisses, denied that
there was any discrepancy between him
self and other members of the cabinet.
IT believe" he said, that our interests
are much more closely allied to the inter-
ests of Germany than to those of Russia.
The cabinet is not responsible for every
single word uttered by its members, but it
is responsible for every declaration of
policy and every important statement of
fact. If there has been difference of
opinion between Lord Salisbury and my
self, it would have been my duty to re-
sign That is my answer to all these
charges. l have not resigned and 1 have
not been rejected by the prime minister
Mr.. Chamberlain declared that the OBJ
ject of his Birmingham speech was mot to
lay down a policy, but to state facts to the
country as to what l conceive to be the
conditions and great problems We are
called upon to face"
The speech. he continued, had been
made and there was not one word of 1t
that he intended to withdraw. Great
Britain could stand alone. But in that
case she could not exercise the controlling
influence she had hitherto exercised in
China.
$50 long as we are without alliances"
he said emphatically, cit will be impossible