The Portland daily press., 1899-10-20
Sir Joseph Chamberlain Defends
Himself.
Called to Order by the
Speaker.
Member of Conservative Party
Speaks Against War.

London, October I9.-Floor and gall
leries we're densely crowded today in the
House of Commons In anticipation of q
speech by Secretary Of State for the Colo
nies, Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain on. the gov
ernment's poi In South Afrioa, Dur
ing the first hour of the session the first
lord Cf the treasury and government lead
er, Mr.. Arthur j. Balfour, promised to
answer somo. row a question whether the
government had decided upon a specific
course of action with reference TO the
recommendations of the International
commission respecting the future admin
istration Of Sam1a. Mr.. Balfour, In reply
60 an Interpolation as to whistler the
imperial government were now reviewing
the aoiion of the Cape Colony, Premier,
Mr.. W. p. Soh:einer and other mem b srs
of the Cape government, and as to
whether the governor of Cape Colony Sir
Alfred Miner, wouln be allowed to dis
miss 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, 50 far as
the imperial government are aware, there
is no foundation.
Mr. Henry Ssaton Karr conservative,
st. Helens'. (Lancashire). asked the first
lord of the treasury whether the atten-
tion Of the government had been directed
10 certain speeohts and letters and ques-
tions from the members fcom Kilkenny
and East Claire, Nessrs Patrick O'Brien
and William Richmond. Parneliltes, ad-
vocating the cause of the Bosrs' attempt
ing to ssduce British soldiers and melting
them to actively assist the snemies of the
Queen, and what action, II any, the gov
ernment proposed to take in the matter.
Mr.. Redmond, (Parnellite, East Clare),
rose quickly, and said that, before the
first lord of the treasury replied, he de-
sired to ask him whether 1t wers not a
fact that he (Mr. Redmond) In suggest.
Ing message of sympathy to President
Kruger. had only followed the precedent
set by Her Majssty's grand son. the Ger
man Emperor. cloud laught,r.)
Mr.. Balfour replied as follows: 81
was not aware that theshonorable mem Der
for East Glare framed himself uron such
an august model. (Laughtsr.) may
point out among the differences between
himself and the Emperor of g srmany
that His Imperial Majesty is not Brit
isher. nor a member of this House.
II have reason to doubt the accuracy
of the statements contained in the uues-
tion. 80 far as my memory serves, sup
port Of a similar character has inyariably
been offered by the same quarters to those
engaged in hostllities with Her Majesty's
government irrespective OF race, creed
or the theatre of hostilities. l have no
ground for thinking that such support
was ever regarded as important by those
to whom 1t was proffere5, and advise
The House to take the same view now, r"
(Peals OF lsughter)
Mr.. Chamberlain, who was loudly
cheered on rising, began with severe
criticism Of the action OF the opposition
at the previous meeting of Parliament.
Their statements, he said, were calcu-
lated to encourage President Krueer's
Resistance and to emparrass the govern
ment In most difficult and most critical
funetionE."
Referring to Mr.. Stanhope's demand
yesterday for the production of his
(Chamberlain' 10 letter to Mr.. Hawkensley.
he said he would gladly produce this if
Sir William Vernon Hnreourt and Mr..
John Morley, who were both members of
the South African committee demanded
it. Mr.. stanhope's criticism. he charac-
terized as "neither honest nor honor
able.''
"The government welcomed ali honest
and honorable criticism CT their policy. {"
said Mr.. Chamberlain, "and 1 wish I
could apply those epithets I'd the speech
Of the member from burnley"
Mr.. Stanhope, leaping to his feet, cried,
II rise to order. l thought fit 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
Houssf" Opposition cheers
The Speaker-'sI think the language
of the secretary of state. fol. the colonies
is going somewhat beyond ----" 1.-THE
rest of his wor being drowned in Wild
Irish cheers and shouts of Withdraw D
Mr. Chamberlain calmly waited until
the uproar had sui sided and then said:
81 bow with all respect, MIR. Speaker.
to your decision. withdraw verything
have said"
Then, amid frequent ironical Iriss
cheers he proceeded TO denouncs the
campaign Of Stander." based upon his
refusal to accept Mr. Stanhope's ohal-
lenge to produce ths letter he wrote
Hawkensley, saying that il Sir Henry
Campbell Bannerinan or Sir William
Vernon-Harcourt. desired to see the
letter, he would produce 1t with the
greatest pleasure as they were honorable
members and honorable men," (Crles
of "Order" and withdraw"