Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-01
FRTDAY... DECEMBER 1. 1899.
cUAMpEnLAIN's FRANKNEss.

In an address ne nlddo AT LliN'o'Ni
Wednesday evening. Hon. Joseph Cham
borlaIn. British Secretary Of state Tor
the Colonies, made a clean breast OF II
respeoting the ADglo-Boer war Lord
Salisbury was protty plain on that sub
feet in his GuIdhall speech, but Mr..
Chamberlain went more than bow
shot beyond the Premier IL taking the
public into the confidence Of the govern
ment. The Secretary Of state for the
Colonies removed all doubt. II. indeed
any existed. as to what would be British
aealing with the Beers after the
war. but before doing this let in strong
light upon the governments view Of the
broader and related questions involved in
the struggle.
Referring 10 the position Of opposition
10 tho war that was taken by Sir Henry
Campbell Bannerman and other Liberal
leaders. Nj. Chamberlain said that those
peace advocates would have lost South
Africa 10 Great Britain. weakened her
hold upon India. and earned for her the
contempt of mankind. In this, Nh. Cham
beriain admitted that, apart from the
direct issues of the situation in South
Africa, it was necessary for Great Britain
TO re-estabilsh her prestige, dissipate the
IMPRESSION that she was retrOgrading as
a military power. and prove 70 the world
that she is stlll capable of taking care
Of her possessions anywhere and every
where Considering the rumors that have
recently come from the Afghan border,
his reference TO India cannot but be
construed as a warning TO Russia.
Mr.. Chamberlain reiterated" IT is
stated. that the war was inevitable
although Mr. Kruger would, he added,
doubtless have preferred to wait until
Great Britain became at odds with some
othor Power. Inevitable" Of course.
The speakers record in the Transvaal
question ever since the Jameson raid
shows that he so regarded If. He might
have added that he would also have pre-
rerred TO wait little-tO wait until Great
Britain was better prepared-but he could
not afford TO throw away the splendid
opportunity for making, once for all, a
settlement of the Boer problem. which
was presented when the Orange Free
State made common cause with the
Transvaal.
In order to a better understanding of
MIR. Chamberlain next reference. few
historical facts should be recalled: The
Beers have been giving trouble ever since
they set foot in south Africa, first to
Holland and then to England. In 1SiI
q number of them, dissatisfied with the
Cape Government. trekked into Natal.
That territory was annexed by the Brit-
ish, and the majority Of the Beers
removed across the Naal river, establish
ing the South African republic-the
Transvaai-whch was, in 1854, recognized
by Great Britain. Soon, however, the
new State became involved in wars with
the hordes OF natives in and surrounding
II. and as n result an almost inces-
,ant condition of turmoil prevailed on its
borders and in the state itself, until 1871,
whom the British annexed II. But after
three years there was Boer uprising,
Sir George Colley's foolhardy attack at
Majuba Hin took place, and then came
the convention Of 1854, when the coun-
Try was retroceded to the Beers, under
British suzeralnty.
In barking back TO these events, Mr..
Chamberlain denied that the Gladstone
government granted the convention OF
1854 because the Grand Old Man feared
a general Dutch uprising. "The real
reason" ne continued. "was because the
Gladstone government believed the an
nexation of the Transvaal in 1877 occur
red under misapRrehenslon by Lord
Beaconsneld that a majority Of the Beers
desired annexation. IL was afterward
proved that this was not their desire, and
he annexation was cancelled"
Here we have very graceful apology
Tor an explanation of what has been gene
rally conceded TO have been lack of nerve
upon the part Of MI. Gladstone. At
the same time that apology, taken with
what follows. makes II plain that the
government sees that had the Beacons-
field policy been adhered to. Great Britain
would have been saved great cost
In blood and treasure. II is now
proposed to return 10 the cardinal princi-
PIE Of that policy for in treating OF the
future OF the Boer question, Mr.. Cham
bcrlain said:
Il do not Ike TO divide the skin before
lave caught the bear, but / must insist