Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-11-03
MARQUIS Of LAxsDowne
Ably Defends Course Government Has Taken
With the Beers.

| London. Nov. 1.-The Marquis of
Lansdowne, secretary of state for war;
was the chief speaker at the cutler
feast in Sheffield, this evening. Reply
ing to the toast to Her Majesty's Min
4 listers" he went over the usual ground
! in axplaining the causes of the war ana
defended the governments. against the
charge that the military preparations
were not abreast of the negotiations.
He said: 1.-THE diplomatic messages
went by wire: the reinforcements by
ship. Moreover. in order to keep
abreast, the army and navy would have
had to commit most provocative and
threatening acts. The Boer ultimatum
followed British mobilization and if
Great Britain had modified earlier. the
ultimatum would have been earlier"
Lord Landsdowne explained the
promptness Of the mobilization which
had enabled five cavalry regiments, 10
batteries and 30 battalions to get far
away on the sea. During the earlier
operators tn enemy, he said, had
great superiority of numbers and the
advantage OF a choice of ground. This
phase of the situation he hoped. was
approaching its conclusion; for in less
than week the first instruments of
Sir Redvers Buffers force would arrive
at Cape Town. to be followed at "a
steady rate by the remainder.
II do not think continued Lord
Landsdowne. that there need be any
anxiety regarding the result. There
has been nothing in history to compare
with the patriotism of our colonies.
TYl,n will t,Iy don al rbD;, -
tude will impress upon the civilized
world two great truths: First, that
Greater Britain is not an empty parade,
and, secondly. that such large meas
ure of voluntary support would not
have been accorded unless we We're
fighting in a just cause"
In conclusion Lord I-ansdowne ex-
pressed on behalf of the government
profound admiration for the hernism OF
our troops. who have rehabiltated the
reputation of the British soldiery in South
Afr!ca-a great gain which. to my mind,
outweighs the heavy losses we have sus (.
tanned and outweighs even the sad dis
astcr which was due TO an accidental
cause.
Rear Admiral Lord Charles Beresford.
replying TO the toast The Imperial
Forces. praised the transport arrange
ments. Referring to the surrender of the
Irish Fusiliers and the Worcestershire
Regiment after their ammunition was tx
pended, he said it was an honorable sur
render. He expressed the opinion that
the government was not sending men
enough To South Africa, in view of the
probability that the Cape Dutch would
Join the Beers. Discussing the general
question of military armament. he oh
SCrNc ed that there were only two really
patriotic nations in the word, the British
ana the Americans, because they alone
had volunteer armies.
Mar. George Wyndham. parliamentary
uuleT secretary Nf state, for has
pied To COL Sir Charles Howard Vim
cents Offer If 1909 volunteers as marks
men Tor south Africa, that ii would b.
against the regulations to send Volun
teers abroad or 10 enlist them for a
shorter rC:i d than three years. He adds
however, an assurance that in the event
uf Il crisis requiring a large increase Of
the home garrison. Of which there is at
present no sign, volunteers Will he used
ANA cnl.stmcnts VIII be nermitted for a
short t,lnl.