The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-10-26
Speech by the Colonial Secretary in
Which He Vigorously Defended
the Governments Course.
FORMER BOER AGENT GIVEN A
CHANCE To FIGHT A DUEL.
Britain's Vast Naval Preparations
Construed to Mean that COntinen-
tai Powers Intend Mischief.

LONDON, Oct. 25-The friends of the
Beers in Parliament are few in number,
but they seem determined to make the most
of their opportunities during the short ex-
traordinary session. The Irish members of
the House have been making theatric exhi-
titions and some of the Radicals and Con-
servatives have also shown disposition
to enliven the Commons with personal tits.
To-day Michael Davitt ostentatiously an
nounced to his fellow-commoners that he
! intended to resign as protest against the
war with the Beers. There were several
other incidents of an unusual character in
which some of the members showed much
heat. In fact, the pugnacious spirit animat-
ing the public pervades the legislature.
Mr.. Davitt's resignation was something
| of coup de theater. the Pail Mall Ga
zette says that some time ago he told his
| intimate friends that he would take the
| first opportunity of retiring from Parlia-
| ment. 1t is understood that Mr.. Davitt
| will return to Ireland and devote himself
| to literary and journalistic work.
| Apart from the diversion created by Mr..
Davitt there was a lively scene in the House
between Gavin Brown Clark, Radical men,
| ber for Caithness and ex-agent of the Trans
vaal, and Major Rasch, Conservative men,
| ber for the southeastern division of Essex.
Mr.. Clark denied Major Rasch's statement
| that ne Clark was in the Boer camp at
| the time of the fight at Majuba Hill and
| characterized the assertion as sample of
the Misrepresentation now prevailing Ma
| jor Rasch promptly retorted that his state
ment was made on the authority of Mr..
| Clark himself, who told him so six years
ago, adding that IL Mr.. Clark again denied
| the statement he (the major) would take
the first opportunity Of repeating the state
ment to him outside of Parliament when
he could take what steps he liked.
DENIAL FROM CHAMBERLAIN.
The House, by a vote Of 224 to 2s, passed
the second reading of the appropriation bill
| During the debate James H. Dalziel, Iiber-
al, expressed the opinion that one Of the
| greatest difficulties in arriving at a settle
ment with President Kruger had been that,
| rightly or wrongly. the President had be-
lieved Mr.. Chamberlain. the British secre-
tary Of state for the colonies. and Cecil
Rhodes were identical. He added that Mr..
Chamberlain had given grounds for this be-
lief by suppressing kilograms, whereupon
the colonial secretary tartly intervened.
saying: Il have never suppressed tele-
| grams. have not got them.''
Mr. Chamberlain also denied that he had
refused to see DR.. Montague White, the
agent OF the Transvaal, who. the colonial
secretary added had never applied for an
audience.
The speaker. William Court Gully. inter-
| vened at this juncture, and declared that
all references to such matters were out
Of order.
Michael Davitt, Irish Nationalist member
for South Mayo. announced that he would
aiv net I,a
Boer war Mr.. Davitt denounced the jingo
press and said the war for the meanest
and most mercenary aims would be known
as the greatest crime of the century. He
declared that if he had been offered home
rule and an Irish republic he would not
have accepted them if accompanied by the
condition that he vote for the war; AS a
protest he would ask to be relieved from
attendance in the House. He had been in
the House for five years trying to obtain
Justice for ireland, and he left it con-
vinced that mo cause of justice and right
would have the support of the House unless
backed by force.
| Sir William Vernon Harcourt, the former
Liberal leader in the House. said he desired
to again call attention to the provocation OF
the secretary of state for the colonies (Mr
Chamberlain during the negotiations and II
his speech at Highbury.
SPEECH BY CHAMBERLAIN.
Mr.. Chamberlain replied, repudiating the
intention 10 be provocative, and saying III
only intended TO be plain and free from am
biguity. He added that he only followed il
the negotiations the principles observed b!
all statesmen during the past ten or twent,
years. There was a time, he explained
when diplomacy was regarded as given t.
statesmen 20 enable them to conceal thei
thoughts That might fairly be called th'
.old diplomacy" which. he said. Il alb
solutely and entirely repudiate." People h
continued, are entitled to demand clear ex
preston of views. and he asserted that ther
never was the slightest justification for tn
statement that President Kruger had beei
in doubt.
Mr.. Chamberlain then said: Our objects
} methods and determination were TO carr
out these objects. 1t was necessary 10 I'm
press upon Presids snt Kruger the serious
ness Of the step he was called on to take AM
! the consequences which would follow an.
!, mistake on his part 1t was not desirabl
10 include In an official dispatch coflatera
suggestions and indications Of opinion, bu
I semi-official warning was frequently con
xeved in a speech. A similar warning wa
. GIVEN by Lord Salisbury to the Sultan a
the Gui,dball banquet. and i am still ab
solutely unrepentant."
Z Respecting to-day's speeches, Mr.. Cham
! | ber,ain said they are simply rehash OF oil
2 arguments from Irish members. who's
boast is that they are Englands enemies
, | and from the Radicals, who. in principle
, oppose the war. Regarding Mr.. Davit'
Mr.. Chamberlain said be recognized tha