The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1899-10-20
The British Colonial Secretary in
the House of Commons
Denies
Aspersions- of His Motives in
Dealing With South At
rican Matters.
Also Scores the Ants for Aid and
Comfort to kruger--His
Speech.

Of commons. in anticipation OF a speech
by the secretary Of state for the colo
MES, Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain, on the
governments policy in South Africa.
Henry Seton-karr. conservative, in
accordance with notice given Wednes-
day. asked the first lord Of the treasury
whether the attention of the govern
ment mad been directed to certain
speeches and letters by and emenating
from the members from Kilkenny and
East Clare. Mr.. Patrick O'Brien and
William Redmond. Parnellites, advo-
eating the cause Of the Beers, attempt
ing to seuuce British soldiers, and in
citing them actively to assist the enc
mics of the queen. and what action, if
any. the government proposed to take
in the matter.
Mr.. Redmond rose quickly and said
that before the first lord of the treasury
replied he desired to ask him whether
it was not a fact that he Mr.. Redmond)
IN suggesting a message Of sympathy to
President Kruger. had only followed
the precedent set by her majesty's
grandson, the German emperor. loud
laughter.)
Mr.. Balfour's Reply.
Mr.. Balfour replied as follows.
Il was not aware that the honorable
member for East Clare framed himself
upon such an august model. Laughter.
l may point out. among the differences
between himself and the emperor Of
Germany. that his imperial majesty is
not a Britisher nor a member Of this
house.
Il have reason to doubt the accuracy
Of the statements contained in the Ques-
ton. So far as my memory serves.
support of a similar character has in.
variably been offered by the same quar-
tiers TO those engaged in hostilitles with
her majesty's government. quite ire
spective Of race. creed. or the theatre of
hostilities. have no ground for think
ing that such support was ever regard.
ed as important by those to whom ii
preferred. and l advise the house &c
take the same view now" Laughter.
Mr.. Chamberlain Speech.
Mr.. Chamberlain. who was loudly
cheered on rising. began with a severe
criticism Of the action of the opposition
at the previous meeting of parliament.
Their statements, he said. we've calcu.
lated to encourage President Kruger.
resistance. and to embarass the govern.
ment in most difficult and most critica.
functions.
Referring TO Mr.. Stanhope's demand
for the production OF his Mr.. Chamber
lain'sy letter TO Mr.. Hawkesley. he sale
he would gladly produce this, if Sill
William Vernon Harcourt and Johy
Morley. who were members Of the South
African commission, demanded it.
Mr.. Stanhope's criticism he charac
terized as neither honest nor honor
able"
speaker Objected to the Language.
The speaker, Mr.. William Cour
Gully, interviewed. saying that the Ian
guage Of the colonial secretary wa,
beyond parliamentary bounds"
Dealing with the criticisms mad,
upon the South African league, he san
he could not claim acquaintance with
single member Of it. The league wa,
~ Va A. PooAN|t pN(utAAdA1AS OUL d
the same time most representative pol
itical organizations ever established.
With regard to the statements re
speeding his own associations will
Cecil Rhodes. he declared that from tn.
time Of the Jameson raid he had n,
communication either direct or ipdi
rect with Mr. Rhodes on any subiec
connected with South African policy
He had seen that gentleman with refer
ence to the Cape-to-Cairo railwa,
project. and with reference to Rhodesia
but the conversation had never touched
Don the subjects now under discus
sion, and he would remind the nous,
that Mr.. Rhodes, although a million
aire, had gone to face danger at Kim
berly. [Cheers.I
Passing to the general question q tn,
governments South African policy, MI
Cham berlain said that in the light O
recent events and Of the u~tterances o
President Kruger, he had come to tn,
conclusion war had always been inev
liable, although it was only of late tina
he had himself most reluctantly reached
this view. He had hoped for peace, ant
striven to maintain it, and up to a re
cent date. he had believed that peace
was possible. He had always been de
termined to secure justice for the Brit
ishers in South Africa, and to maintain
the paramountcy of Great Britain, bu
with these things assured, he desired
peace.
Turning to the principles involved il
the war. the colonial secretary went OF
to say:
If we maintain our existence as
great power in South Africa, we ar,
bound to show that we are willing an
able to protect British subjects where
ever they have suffered injustice ant
oppression. Great Britain must remain
the paramount power in South Africa
Everyone Oh both sides of the hous'
is determined to maintain these princi
Piles. Peace in South Africa depends OF
British supremacy in the Transvsal.
''The Boer oligarchy has placed Brit