The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-10-20

cused of DisgracefuI Treatment OF
as Suzerain- Contents of Britain's
Proposed Ultimatum VIII Never be
Published-Ixrug BIam
London, Oct. 19.-Joseph Chamber
lain, secretary of state for the colonies,
spoke for two hours and three-quarters
in the house of commons to-day in ex-
planation of the governments policy
in South Africa. The reception accord
ed to Mr.. Chamberlain when he arose
was fattering in the extreme. His
speech was given in great earnestness.
He fearlessly attacked the members of
the opposition and was halted at one
time by the speaker, who thought the
colonial secretary was going beyond
parliamentary bounds. This occurred
when the secretary characterized the
criticism Of Mr. Stanhope yesterday as
neither honest nor honora ble." This
criticism was relative to relations with
the South African committee. The in
ttIIuptlOu cl Opedh6T buliy Was lIel
with cheers from the Irish members and
cries of withdraw AS Mr.. Chamber
lain proceeded he spoke calmly but
with considerable decisiveness.
In reply to Sir Campbell Bannerman
Mr.. Chamberlain said regarding racial
animosity: THE racial animosity which
has been the curse of South Africa is
based on contempt. Hate is bad enough
but l would rather have a mans hate
than his contempt. There will never
be an end of racial animosty nor will
there ever be peace in South Africa
until both races have learned to respect
each other" The secretary stated that
in the light of recent events and of
President Kruger's utterances he had
concluded that war had always been
inevitable although it was only of
late that he had reluctantly reached
that view. He denied having any re-
lations with Cecil Rhodes. Referring
to the relations of the Beers with the
natives Mr.. Chamberlain said: ."rhere
is one subject not dealt with in the
Blue books. / mean the dsgraceful
Boer treatment of the natives, unwor-
thy of a civilized power. In 1896 I act
ually sent message to Sir Hercules
Robinson for the Transvaal respecting
the treatment of natives. Then came
the Jameson raid, and our South Afri-
can officials decided that they could
not with propriety present the message.
The Beers, in their own words, trekked
because they wanted to 'wallop the
niggers. John Dillon cried: "That is
not true" This was followed by loud
demands for order and the speaker
called upon Mr.. Dillon to withdraw the
remark. The latter responded: Il have
not impeached the veracity of the colo
nial secretary" The speaker: 'I hope
such expressions will not re-occur"
(Cheers).
Proceeding to discuss the question of
supremacy, Mr.. Chamberlain said:
THE whole object of the Beers has
been to oust the queen from her posi-
tion as suzeran. Now they have
thrown off the mask and declared
themselves a sovereign, independent
state. Her majesty's government have
had a suspicion amounting to knowl-
edge that the mission of DR.. Leyds is
one continual series of negotiations
with foreign powers against the Brit
ish. loud cheers.) The Transvaal
and the Free State have an ideal
which Is dangerous to Great Britain
and by the continuous accretions of
arms, the Transvaal had become by
far the most powerful military state
In Africa. That was a danger and we
have escaped one of the creates dan
gers we were ever subject to in Africa.
The whole point of difficulty between
the opposition and the government is
as to the details of the negotiations
Justifying his conduct of affairs, Mr.
denied that the question
of suzerainty had needlessly irrtated
the Transvaal government or seriously
affected the negotiations. AS for the
franchise for the outlanders, he de-
clared that the government had never
shifted their ground ami that every
point advanced at the Bloemfontein
conference by Sir Alfred Miner had re-
mained upon the paper until the ulti-
matum and he was much more afraid
of the charge of being too moderate
than of the charge of being excessive.
The governments reply to the
he continued, accepted the
ive-year franchise proposal except in
respect to the pledge that Great Britain
would never reinterfere in the Trans
walls internal affairs; but they hoped
hat, If the f1ve-year franchise meas
Ire were carried into effect, there would
)e no occasion for interference. l be-
ieve that influential advisers. do not
mean foreign poWers-must have inter-
Jened and induced the Transvaal gov
to withdraw their offer.
las for the last proposals formulated |
oy the British government, 1 may say |
hat the desire of the right honorable
member for West Monmouthshire (Sr |
William Vernon HarcourD that they be !
published will never be gratified. That |
lltimatum is buried and is not likely |
o be resurrected.' Laughter) | |
hallenge any one to see sign of |
blood-guiltiness or desire |
f war in the negotiations. The govern
nent increased the garrisonS for de-
ence on pressure from the Natal ad-
to whom gratitude and !
hanks are due. Never before has the
Ldministra ton and colony of Natal so
identified themselves with |
he mother country. They knew they
would be the first to bear the brunt of
tack; yet they threw In their lot,
cart and soul, with the mother coun.
Nv.
Her majesty's present advisers
lain quite as earnestly as anv rra. |