The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-10-18

the Speech from the Throne was then re-
sumed Mr. Philip James Stanhope, Lib
eral Member for Burnley. moved an
amendment strongly disappearing the
conduct of the negotiations with the
Transvaal. He attacked the policy Of
the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
that the latter should clear himself OF
the charge Of completely In the Jameson
raid. After denouncing the action Of Mr..
Cecil Rhodes and the South African
League, Mr- Stdnhope said
The British High Commissioner IN
South Africa eSir Alfred Millinery Is lack
ing IN qualities necessary to diplonatist
in his position. While entirely icquftting
the Government as a whole OF any con-
nection with these doubtful transactions,
and believing they are animated BY peace
Secretary of state for the Col15nies and
the British High Commissioner in South
Africa have. for the last two years been
fully determined that war and war only
should end this crisis and that They have
worked for this consummation during the
last year
The amendment was ceondetl BY Mr..
Samuel Thomas Evans, Liberal member
for he Middle Division of Glamorgan-
shire
A supplementary army estimate has
mons to vote an additional 81. 900 men and
S50, ,0e0 600 in consequence of the situation
in South Africa 1t is explained that 35-
600 men represent the probable maximum
the year 1899-1900, and IS in consequence
Of the calling out of the Reserves and Of
the temporary transfer of troops from
the Indian to the British establishments.
With the additional $4,000. 900 the total
army estimates are $50 600, 600.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt. Liberal,
Member for West Monmouthshire and
former official leader of the Liberal party,
following several minor speeches for and
against the Government, said it. was the
duty of the House to support the Gov
1ar1f -
the dominions of the Queen. but that
they had right to speak of the policy OF
the Government in an altogether different
tone.
He went on to justify the oppositfon,s
criticism of the conduct of the negotia-
tions prior to the receipt OF the ultima
tum, declaring his belief that there were
salient circumstances in the transaction
tion.
Although do not charge tha Govern
ment," said Sir William, with deliber-
ately avoiding peaceabie solution. in
my opinion there Is no Justification for
saying that there has been criminal OBJ
stinacy on the part of the Transvaal
Step by step, it will be found, on wise
advise from the Orange Free State and
the Government Of Cape Colony, the
Transyaaf until the door was shut, Yield
ed and was continuing to yield to our
pressure"
He then proceeded to contrast Mr..
Chamberlain's previous utterances with
his present attitude and asserted that
there was absolutely no need to reject the
TransvaaPs offer Of August 5. The Ian
guage used by Mr.. Chamberlain, just after
after that offer was made and when the
negotiations had reached most promis-
ing point, could not be considered favor
able to peaceful settlement.
Discussing the cause OF the final breach
Sir William said
.On September 6 the Transvaai sent q
despatch pressing for the appointment Of
Joint commission to consider their Offer,
on condition that suzerainty be dropped,
Everybody Is now convinced that suzer-
ainty was dropped in 1884. Cloud Minis
terial protests.) At any rate successive
Secretaries of State were of that opinion
| Mr. Chamberlain enphatically dis
| sented.
| Sir William reSuming, went on to re-
mark that suzerainty was only formally
announced to President Kruger by Mr.
| Chamberlain in 1899. He commented upon
| the extra ordinary delay in sending the
| final proposals of Great Britain"
The British nation" he exclaimed,
| has a right to know what the proposals
| of the Government are. The Government
/ war In the dark cannot conceive why
| the good offices of the Orange Free
State were rejected, and / think the ne
| gotiations might have been conducted
1 differently with a different issue
IT dissociate myself altogether from re-
sponsibility of any kind for the measures
| that have led to this war, although am
| prepared support the Government in the
unhappy conflict in which we are en-
| gagged.
The House then adjourned.