Omaha daily bee., 1899-10-20

they have thrown off the mask and declared
themselves a sovereign Independent state.
Her maiesty's government have had a sus-
picion amounting to the knowledge that
the mission OF DR.. Leyds has been one con-
tnual series of negotiations with foreign
powers against Great Britain. loud
cheers) The Transvaal and Free State
have an ideal which Is dangerous to Great
Britain and by the continuous accretions
OF arms the Transvaal has become by far the
most powerful military state in Africa.
That was a danger and We have escaped one
of the greatest dangers we were ever sub
jected to In Africa. The whole point or
difference between the opposition and the
government is as to the details OF the ne
gotiations"
Justifying his conduct of affairs, Mr.
Chamberlain denied that the question OF
suzeranty had needlessly irritated the
Transvaal government or seriously affected
the negotiations. AS far as the franchise for
the outlanders, he declared that the gov
ernment had never shifted their ground
and that every point advanced at the
Bloemfontein conference by Sir Alfred MIL
ner had remained on the paper until the ui-
timatum. Mr.. Chamberlain added: Il am
much more afraid of the charge Of being
too moderate than OF tho charge OF being
too excessive"
Inst ProposaIs Remain n secret.
1.-THE governments reply to the Transvaai
excepted the fve-year franchise proposal
except in respect of the pledge that Great
Britain would not reinterfere in the Trans
walls internal affairs. but they hoped that
IL the five-year franchise measure was car
ried into effect there would be no occasion
for interference,
81 believe that influential advisers-I do
not mean foreign powers ~snust have inter-
vened and induced the Transvaal to with
draw their offer As to the last proposals
formulated by the British government l
may say that the desire of the right hon
orable member of Westmonmouthshire (Sir
William Vernon HarcourD that they be pub
| lished will never be gratifed. That ultima
tum is buried and is not likely to be resur-
| rected. (Laughter.)
81 challenge anyone to see sign OF prov
ocation, blood guiltiness or desire of war
in the negotiations. The government in
| creased the garrisons for defense on pres
sure from the Natal administration, to
whom gratitude and thanks are due. Never
before had the administration and colony OF
Natal so completely identified themselves
with the mother country. They knew they
would be the first to bear the brunt of at
tack, yet they threw in their lot, heart and
soul, with the mother country.
/ Her majesty's present advisers claim
| quite as earnestly as any previous govern
ment could have claimed, to be anxious for
the honor and interests o. the country. That
| is why they have supported the principle oi
protection for British subjects. That is
why they uphold the SUI rainty of England
| "Our countrymen have seen magnificent
| demonstration, not only Of loyalty, but Of
sympathy with the objt = of the govern
ment on the part of tn colonies. l have
been as anxious for peae, as any man, but
| the government holds that there sse consid.
erations more important than peace, and one
of these is the maintenance of equality be-
! tween the white races in South Africa. In
| their effort to maintain peace the govern
| ment las shown endless patience. 1t was
President Kruger who sc led the issue. HI
| appealed to the god of titles. If I ma,
do so with reverence I we accept thai
appeal, believing our q,,C rel just
Mr.. Chamberlaips sra he ssa as,,rr,s i-s7rs..sS
hours and threeznn,, <se y S>.ne.4'
i.s..a ,-a;ol hhhsilpss -sador Choate ant
Henry white. secretary Of the United State
embassy, were in the chamber during MI
Chamberlain's speech.