The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-11
MR.. CHAMBERLAIN AGAIN
THE ALLIANCE PROMOTER MAKES
ANOTHER SPEECH TO BRITIsHERs.
Reply in the House of Commons to
Criticism of His Birmingham Adj
dress-CurZen's Statement.

LONDON, June 10.-Sir Charles Dixie in
the House of Commons to-day moving a
reduction in the Foreign Office vote, at
tackled the Marquis of Salisburys foreign
policy Of concession. Referring to the
United States. he said: "Our better rela-
lions with the United States are mainly
due to the good influence of her Majesty's
ambassador at Washington (Sr Julian
Pauncefote), for the government policy has
been rash and feeble. Every one will well
come an alliance of hearts with America,
but no alliance could be a war alliance"
Continuing, Sir Charles said he did not be-
lieve in the possibility, mooted by the secre-
tary Of state for the colonies (Mr Chamber
lain), of an alliance with Germany.
The parliamentary secretary for the
Foreign Office, Mr.. George N. Curzon, gave
credit to the good influence of the British
ambassador at Washington. but he asserted
that credit was due not merely to the am
bassador or to the exigencies of the mo-
ment, but to Lord Salisburys friendly,
calm and dispassonate attitude during the
discussion of difficult matters with America
two years ago" Mr. Curzon added: IAN
arbitration treaty will some day be ac-
cepted." This statement was greeted with
cheering.
Answering a question Mr.. Curzon said the
subjects to be referred to the arbitration
commission all relate to questions between
Canada and the United States, but, he
added, some of them are of imperial inter-
est. No decision, he continued, had yet
been reached regarding the appo ntment of
the commissioners. and he said he did not
know whether the agreement must be sub
mitted to the Senate of the United States.
VIZ II. h. I
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.. Chamberlain, sec
rotary OF state for the colonies, at Birming-
ham, He referred ironically to the pitt
full spectacle of the secretary of state for
the colonies standing. hat in hand, before
the powers and seeking an alliance for the
remarking the Chinese question must be
settled in friendship and concert with Kus-
STA He asked whether 1t would not nave
been better for Mr.. Chamberlain to post
pone his insults to Russia" until the talked
of alliance had been secured.
Mr.. Chamberlain who, on arising TO reply,
was received with government cheerS ana
Irish Nationalist Kisses, denied that there
was any discrepancy between himself ana
other members of the Cabinet. Il DeHeVe,
he said, that our interests are much more
closely allied to the interests of Germany
than to those of Russia The Cabinet is not
by it's members, but it is responsible for
every declaration of policy and every impor-
tant statement Of fact. If there had been
difference of opinion between Lord Sails
bury and myself, it would have been my
duty to resign That is my answer to all
these charges. have not resigned. and
have not been rejected by the prime minis
ter"
Mr.. Chamberlain declared that the object
of his Birmingham speech was mot to lay
down a policy, but to state facts TO the
country as to what [ conceive to be the con-
ditions and great problems we are called to
face" The speech, he continued had been
made, and there was not one word of it that
he intended ID withdraw. Great Britain
could stand alone, but, in that case, she
could not exercise the controlling influence
she had hitherto exercised in China. so
long as we without alliances, he said
emphatically. lit will be impossible to pre-
serve the independence of China against
inroads."
Repeating the leading features of his Biz
mingham speech, Mr. Chamberlain declared:
IF 1t became known that we were willing
to consider alliances it is not unlikely that
advances would be made to us. A mutual
understanding with one of the great powers
would save a very large addition to the
navy" In conclusion, he referred to the
Importance of close understanding with
America, adding: I'm my opinion, on such
a matter the United States would not listen
to the Irish vote" But whether England or
America We're menaced, he said. he hoped it
would be found that blood is thicker than
water. and, without desiring to force either
nation to enter into an alliance with which
a majority of both peoples did not thor
oughly sympathize, he would repeat his con-
Victon that the closer, the more defined and
the clearer the alliance between the United
States and England, the better it would be
for both, nations and for civilization. Mr.
Chamberlains speech ended with loud
cheers from the government benches.
Mr.. John Dillon. the Irish Nationalist
leader protested against Mr.. Chamberlain's
insults to the Irish in America.
Sir Charles Dilke's motion for reduction
in the Foreign Office vote as a rebuke to
jected by the House by vote of 254 against
l2S