The times., 1899-07-29
TIE TRhNSV AAL TROUBLE
An Interesting Debate in the House
of Commons Concerning 1t.

Oh commons IOnctfHiHg Ill.
Sir. Chamberlain Speaks 10 the Point
on the Grievances of Uitianders-
Immediate and Substantial Repre-
sentution for Them Is Required
Kruger Must Keep His Promises.
London, July 2s.-The Transvaal ques
tion was raised and debated in the House
of Commons this evening. Sir Henry
Campbell -Bannerman. the leader of the
opposition, appealed to his friends 10 be
moderate and guarded in their language
and avoid uttering a word that would in
tensify racial and party feeling in Africa
which might hinder the attainment of
the amicable settlement desired by all. He
also desired to make a similar appeal to
the people of both countries. From the
beginning to the end of this story, he
said he could see nothing whatever to
justify armed Intervention. War in South
Africa with one independent State" he
said, would be one of the direst calami-
ties that could occur. and would leave be-
hind it racial feud extending through the
whole of our colonies which would make
the government of that country almost
impossible. In his opinion, the thanks of
the Empire were due to Messrs. Schreiner
and Hoffmayer and their friends for the
part they had played.
Mr.. Chamberlain. colonial Secretary.
said he was afraid that some of the OBJ
servations used by the honorable gentle
man would not conduce to a speedy and
amicable settlement. and were calculated
to embarrass the action OF the Government.
The outlanders' grievances. he said, were
well founded and the result of a settled
policy which had been pursued with all the
persistency OF the Boer ever since the ret
recession of the country in 1881. For the
past fifteen years the efforts of the Trans
vaal Government had been directed, con-
trary to the spirit and, in some cases, the
letter of the convention. to placing the
0utlanders in a position of distinct and
definite inferioTity to the Beers. Such
policy. he said. would not be tolerated for
a moment by any other power. 1t was not
only inimical to personal rights, but dan
gerous to the imperial interests. said Mr.
Chamberlain. 1t was this policy that had
created all the present racial antagonism
in South Africa. The whole racial antago-
nism had originated from the action OF the
TransTaal Government. He declared that
the policy of the Transvaal Government
was directed against the supremacy of
Great Britain, and. if the present condition
of affairs we're allowed to continue, it
might cost England many wars in the fu-
ture, and might end in national disaster
Mr.. Chamberlain announced that he had
proposed to President Kruger that the new
franchise law, which has just been passed
by the Volksraad. be submitted to body
of expert, influential South African law
yers, who would enquire whether it gave
the Outlanders a modicum of control in the
political affairs of the Transvaal.
Sir Henry Campbell -BanneTman said he
was not surprised at the resistance OF Pres
ident Kruger and the burghers to the ex-
tension OF the franchise. They had not
forgotten the jameson raid.
Mr. Chamberlain declared that the Foley
OF the Transvaal Government was con-
stant menace to the peace and prosperity
of the country, and more than that, ii had
created race antagonism. Continuing, Mr..
Chamberlain said the racial antagonism
arose entirely from q source Of poison in
the Transvaal which did not exist in the
Grange Free State or Cape Colony. Sir
referred to the matter as though it were
mere question of two-year qualifica-
ton for vote THE question" he de-
clared, lis one of our predominance, and
it is a question of peace throughout the
whole of South Africa Our prestige is be-
ing hindered by the present state of things
and it is absolutely necessary that the mat
ter shall be settled satisfactorily. The ma
ture of the danger is recognized every
yIa Of n
tion. This is proved by the action OF the
colonies in offering active assistance. In
mediate and substantial representation for
the 0utlanders was required" The latest
proposal of President Kruger marked
the first advance in this business. The
Government regarded it as an evidence of
a conciliatory spirit and real advance
from the previous proposals and hoped TO
find in it a basis of satisfactory settlement.
The Government had made no threats
and had issued no ultimatum and 1t was
not going to hurry. While the Government
intended TO exhaust all moral pressure. it
had come to the conclusion that the griev-
ances of the Outlanders were substantial.
The Government had taken up the case ana
would not rest until a conclusion satisfaC-
tory in its opinion had been reached. He
anticipated that the Governments efforts
would be successful. though the situation
one. The policy of the Government, he
said. had been one of extreme moderation
and patience.
Mr. Chamberlain said that after what
had been said on the opposite side ne was
bound 10 say in the plGinest way that the
Government would not tie its hands By 4
pledge in regard TO any Interior measure
which might be necessary in the unfortu-
nate. and, he hoped, improbable. event
h., F-1 To-
right honorable gentleman Mr.. Campbell
Bannermar) had said that there was moth
ing which furnished cause for armed in
teryention or in preparation for war. Now
he would like clear issue; that the Gov
ernment would not shrink from 1t. He
tMr. Campbell Bannerman) meant: You
must use moral pressure, and accompany
that pressure with a declaration under no
circumstances TO transfer that pressure in
to something more effective"
Sir II. Campbell -Bannerman. interrupt
ing, denied that he had said that In
certain circumstances it would BE- their
duty to take up arms Mr. Chamberlain
said he was glad to get that declaration
The gulf between them was net so wide
after all. He believed that the great mass
Of the people Of this country were pre-
pared to support the Government should
the necessity arise, in any measures they
thought it necessary TO take. to secure
justice for the British subjects in the
Transvaal and due observance &C the prom
ises upon which the independence CT the
Transvaal had been granted
The Liberals did not move vote of cen
sure of Mr.. Chamberlain. The Colonial
Office estimates. which would have afforded
the nominal occasion for such a vote. were
passed without q division b=ing taken.
London, July 29.-The newspapers this
morning generally praise Hr Chamber
lain's consistent pacific Grmness, and say
that he at the same time makes il Gear
that Great Britain will not hesitate 20 en-
ter upon war if reforms demanded are
not granted