New-York tribune., 1899-07-30
LONDON.
THE MINISTRY'S STRONG POSITION ON
THE TRANSyAAL.
COLLAPSE OF LIBERAL CRITICIsM-sILvER

COLLAPSE OF LIBERAL CRlTlCISM-SlLNEh
IN INDIA-THEATRICAL NOTES.
. IBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.l
London, July 29--Whether Engand's relations
with the Transvaa are better or worse. the
Ministers have cleverly offered a convincing
demonstration that they are standing together
and that the country is behind them. Mr.. Bal
four rallied the Unionist supporters and dis
armed opposition by the gravity and firmness
OF his speech before the Midland Conservative
Associations on the eve Of the great debate In
Parliament. Lord Salisbury was equally vigor-
Gus and resolute in declaring in the House OF
Lords that the Convention Of 1881 provided for
equality of treatment of the white races In
South Africa. and in repeating Lord Selbornes
phrase, I'VE have put our hands to the plough
and we do not intend to turn back.
Mr. Chamberlain in the House Of Commons
last night not only whipped the Liberals into
line by proving that their leader was prepared
under certain contingencies TO fight for British
rights in South Africa. but also displayed the
keenness ard vigilance with which the Govern
n.ent was watching every turn of affairs in the
Transvaal Sir Henry Campbell Bannermans
leadership was amiable. but spiritless. Sir Will
lam Harcourt .was absent. and Mr.. Morley was
silent. Several Liberals spoke on the Govern
ment side, and the debate ended without a
division after a feeble protest from Mr. La
bouchere. The Earl OF Kimberley in the House OF
Lords made no secret Of the fact that neither
he nor Mr.. Gladstone ever had in mind race
conditions and political disqualifcations as In
equitable those now prevailing in the Trans
vaal
AS the final result of this demonstration
Of force IN both houses of Parliament, the
Ci
position for bringing moral pressure TO
bear upon the Beers. The only new idea on
which MI Chamberlain laid stress was the sus-
gestion that the latest franchise proposals or
the Boer lawmakers should be made subject to
q Joint inquiry by experts, with view to ascer-
tanning now far they were likely to offer sub
stantal and immediate representation OF the
alien population without which there can be no
satisfactory settlement This appears to be a
sensble method Of reaching an agreement be-
tween President Kriiger and the Colonial Office,
which will put an end to the veXatious contro-
versy instead of prolonging 1t indefinitely. Even
more practical than this expedient Will be the
moral effect produced throughout South Africa
by the debate in Parliament with a complete
collapse of Liberal criticism. The Ministers
have forcibly reminded President KRUGER and
the Beers that they are dealing not with Sir
Alfred Miner nor with Mr.. Chamberlain but
with q powerful and lnfiexble government and
q united nation. 1t has been a demonstration
OF the moral force of public opinion as effective
as that produced by the Government in 1896
by ordering out the flying squadron when the
united nation fell into line behind It. The
chances for peaceful and satisfactory settle
ment OF all the questions at issue will inevitably
lie promoted by this brilliant and admirably
managed parliamentary coup.
The general Judgment of the English press on
the Peace Congress is that Sir Julian Paunce-
fote rescued it from the reproach Of being a
complete failure the original lines of the re-
script. The permanent arbitration tribunal Is
put down mainly to his credit, although the
cordial support OF the American delegates who
had a similar plan Of their own is acknowledged
in perfunctory spirit. Mr. Steads rhapsodies
over the work OF the Conference excite sus-
picion here. since his enthusiasm and optimism
have come to be regarded a source of weak
ness for any great which appeals to the