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 Al.
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 Glare. Mr.. Patrick O'Brien and
William Redmond. Parnellites, advo-
eating the cause of the Beers, attempt
ing to seduce British soldiers, and in
citing them actively to assist the ene-
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
1t 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.
II was not aware that the honorable
member for East Clare framed himself
upon such an august model. daughter.
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. l have no ground for think
ing that such support was eve regard
ed as important by those to whom it
proffered. and l advise the house to
take the same view now" Laughter.
Mr.. Chamberlain Speech.
Mr.. Cham berlain, 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's
resistance. and to embarass the govern
ment in most difficult and most critical
functions.
Referring to Mr.. Stanhope's demand
for the production Of his (Mr. Chamber
lain's) letter to Mr.. Hawkesley, he said
he would gladly produce this, if Sir
William Vernon Harcourt and John
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 Court
Gully, interviewed. saying that the Ian.
guage of the colonial secretary was
beyond parliamentary bounds"
Dealing with the criticisms made
upon the South African league, he said
he could not claim acquaintance with a
single member Of it. The league was
one Of the poorest pecuniarily, but at
the same time most representative pol
itical organizations ever established.
With regard to the statements re-
speeding his own associations with
Cecil Rhodes. he declared that from the
time Of the Jameson raid he had no
communication either direct or indi-
rect with Mr.. Rhodes on any subject
connected with South African policy.
He had seen that gentleman with refer
ence to n Cape-to-Cairo railway
project, and with reference to Rhodesia,
but the conversation had never touched
upon the subjects now under discus
sion, and he would remind the house
that Mr.. Rhodes, although a million
aire, had gone to face danger at Kim
berly. [Cheers.
Passing to the general question q the
governments South African policy, Mr..
Cham berlain said that in the light of
recent events and Of the u%tterances Of
President Kruger, he had come to the
conclusion war had always been inev-
liable, although it was only of late that
be had himself most reluctantly reached
this view. He had hoped for peace, and
striven to maintain it, and up to a re-
rent date. he had believed that peace
was possible. He had always been de-
termined to ecure justice for the Brit
ishers in South Africa, and to maintain
the paramountcy of Great Britain, but
with these things assured, he desired
peace.
Turning to the principles involved in
the war. the colonial secretary went on
to say:
IF we maintain our existence as a
great power in South Africa, we are
bound to show that we are willing and
able to protect British subjects where.
ever they have suffered injustice and
oppression. Great Britain must remain
the paramount power in South Africa.
Everyone Oh both sides of the house
is determined to MAINTAIN these princi-
ples. Peace in South Africa depends on
British supremacy in the Transvsal.
1.-THE BOer Oli0archy has nlaced Brit.