The record-union., 1899-10-20
OOINCS IN BRITISH
PARLIAMENT.
The House of Commons Packed at
Yesterdays Session
With People Eager to Learn the Govern
ment's Policy in South Africa.
Some Exciting Scenes During the
Debate, the Opposition Giving
Vent to Cries of ''Order" and
''Withdraw" While Secretary
for the Colonies Chamberlain
Was Delivering His Address.

LONDON, Oct. 19.-The floor and
galleries We're densely crowded to-day
in the House of Commons, in anticipa-
ton OF speech by the Secretary OF
State for the Colonies, Joseph Cham
berlain, on the Governments policy IN
South Africa"
The First Lord of the Treasury and
Government leader, Arthur J. Balfour,
promised to answer tomorrow a ques-
| tion whether the Government had de-
cided upon a specific course of action
with reference to the recommendation
of the international commission, re
specting the future administration Of
Samoa.
The Secretary of State for India,
Lord George Hamilton, replying to a
question on the expenditure for the In
dian troops in South Africa, said the
entire charge would be betrayed out
of the imperial exchequer.
Mr. Balfour, in reply to an interpella-
tlon as to whether the Imperial Govern
ment was now reviewing the action of
the Cape Colony Premier M. Schreiner,
and other members of the Cape Govern
ment and as to whether the Governor
of Cape Colony, Sir Alfred Miner,
would be allowed to dismiss the
Schreiner Ministry, to dissolve the Cape
Legislature and temporarily to assume
full authority said:
This question is apparently founded
upon newspaper reports, for which so
far as the Imperial Government is
aware, there is no foundation
Mr.. Balfour announced that the pres
ent sitting Of Parliament would be re-
garded as complete session. to be
terminated by propagation, and not ad-
journed until February.
Henry Seter-karr, Conservative. in
accordance with notice given yester-
day, asked the First Lord of the Treas
ury whether the attention of the Gov
eminent had been directed to certain
speeches and letters by and emanating
from the members for Kilkenny and
East Clare, Messrs. Patrick O'Brien
and William Redmond, Parnel1ites, ad-
vocating the cause of the Beers and
attempting to seduce British soldiers
and melting them to activeIy assist the
enemies of the Queen, and what ac-
ton, if any, the Government proposed
TO take in the matter
Mr.. Redmond rose quickly and said
that before the First Lord of the Treas
ury replied he desired to ask him
whether it was not fact that he CMr
Redmond), in suggesting a message of
sympathy to President Kruger, had
only followed the precedent followed by
her majesty's grandson the EMPEROR.
daughter)
Mr.. Balfour replied as follows: 81
was not aware that the honorable
member of East Clare framed himself
upon such an august model Gaughter)
| may point out the differences between
himself and the Emperor of Germany;
that his imperial majesty is not a Brit
Usher, nor a member of the House 1
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
quarters to those engaged in hostili-
ties with her majesty's Government
quite irrespective of the race, creed, or
the theater of hostilities. l have no
ground for thinking that such support
was ever regarded as important by
those to whom it was proffered, and
advise the House to take the same
view now" Peals of laughter)
Mr.. Chamberlain, who was loudly
cheered on rising, began with a severe
criticism of the action of the opposi-
tion at the previous meeting of Parlia-
ment Their statements, he said, were
calculated to encourage President Kru-
gers resistance, and to embarrass the
- in Il ;4s.
most critical functions"
Referring to Mr.. Stanhope's demand
yesterday for the production of his QMr.
Chamberlain's letter to Mr.. Hawksley,
he said he would gladly produce this,
if Sir William Vernon Harcourt and
John Morley, who were members of
the South African Committee, demand
ed it. Sir John StanhoDe's criticism
he characterized as neither honest nor
honorable.
The Speaker, Sir John Gulley, inter-
vened, saying that the language of the
Colonial Secretary was beyond parlia-
mentary bounds.
Mr. Chamberlain retorted that it was
impossible to describe Mr. Stanhope's
accusation that he chamberlain and
Sir Alfred Miner had fomented war.
The Government welcomed all honest
and honorable criticism of their policy,
said Mr.. Chamberlain, and [ wish /
could apply these epithets to the speech
of the member for Burnley"
Mr.. Stanhope, leaping to his feet.
cried: Il rise to a point of order. 1
thought fit yesterday to arraign the
conduct of the Secretary of State for
the Colonies. He speaks of my criticism
as dishonorable and dishonest. Can
such terms be applied to members of
this house?' Opposition cheers.)
The Speaker: I think the language
of the Secretary of State for the Colo
nies is going somewhat beyond -(the
rest of his words being drowned in
wild Irish cheers and shouts of with
draw.'o
Mr.. Chamberlain calmly waited until
the uproar had subsided, and said: IT
bow with all respect. Mr.. Speaker to
your decision. / withdraw everything
/ have said.''
Then, amid frequent ironical cheers,
he proceeded TO denounce the cam
paign SANDER" based upon his refusal