The record-union., 1899-10-20

no occasion for interference. I believe
that influential advisors do not mean
foreign Powers-must have interviewed
and induced the Transvaal Govern
ment. TO withdraw their offer. AS for
the last proposals formulated by the
British Government, may say that the
desire of Sir William Vernon Harcourt
that they be published will never be
gratified That u1timatum is buried
and is not likely to be resurrected.
Qaughter)
Il challenge anyone to see a sign of
provocation, blood gultiness or desire
Of war in the negotiations. The Gov
ernment increased the garrisOns for de-
fense on pressure from the Natal adj
ministration to whom gratitude and
thanks are due. Never before has the
administration and Colony of Natal 50
completely identified themselves with
the mother country. They knew they
would be the first to bear the brunt of
attack; yet they threw in their lot,
heart and soul w til the mother country.
Her majestys present advisors
claim, quite as earnestly as any pre-
vious Government could have claimed,
to be anxious for the honor and inter-
ests of the country. That is why they
have supported the principle of protec-
ton for British subjects. That is why
they upheld and confirm the suzerainty
Of England.
Our countrymen have given a mag
nifcent demonstration, not only of 10y
atty, but of sympathy with the objects
of the Government on the part of the
peace as any man, but the Government
holds that there are considerations
which are even more important than
peace, and one of these is the main
tenance of equality between the white
races in South Africa. In their en-
deayor to maintain peace the Govern
ment has shown endless patience 1t
was President Kruger who settled the
issue. lie appealed to the God of bat
ties If l may do so with reverence, I
say we accept that appeal, believing
our quarrel just"
Mr.. Chamberlain, who had spoken
two hours and three-quarters. resumed
his seat amid loud and prolonged
cheers.
United States ambassador Choate
and Henry White of the United States
Embassy We're in the chamber during
Mr. Chamberlain's speech
Sir Edward Clarke, Conservative
member for Plymouth, said the more he
had read the correspondence the more
convinced he had been of blunders in
the negotiations, and that the lament
able war was unnecessary. For any
Minister to assert that I'VE since 1884
have had suzerainty over the Trans
Vaal," Sir Edward declared. was GER
tainly at variance with the facts. and a
breach Of national faith. President
Kruger had had much difficulty with
his Volksraad, and on many cases had
shown himself moderate and an advo-
cate of peace. There MAS no reason
why the conditions which President
Kruger attached TO the franchise pro-
posals should not have been accented
seeing that suzerainty was dropped in
1894
Did Mr. Chamberlain" Sir Edward
asked, think his reply to the Trans
FaaI Oh September Sth conciliatory?"
Mr.. Chamberlain-Certa
Sir Edward Clarke-Then l think this
amendment should be probed to the
ant. Nhdulcdl cneerS.)
4 brief discussion between Mr.. Cham
oerlaln and Sir Edward Clarke respeet
ing the Interpretation that should be
placed upon Mr. Chamberlain's reply.
IoHoWed, the Colonial Secretary main
tanning that the tenor of the reply was
| conciliatory, saying:
We could not accept all of Presi
dent Kruger's conditions, though We
accepted nine-tenths"
Sir Edward rejoined that Mr.. Cham
pertains remarks made the matter
more and more sad If this sort of
thing had been going on. the war was
crime against civilization. 1t was
very unfortunate that Parliament was
not sitting the first week in Senten-
Der, or. the seven-year franchise would
nave been accepted, and there wouId
nave Deen no war. Mr. Chamberlain
conduct of the correspondence he char
acterized as most clumsy.
lie had given twenty years unswerv-