Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-10-20
CAUSTlC CRITICISM
Applied by Mr.. Chamberlain TO
Action OF Opposition.
SCENE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS
Denounces ISLANDERS" Based Upon
Refusal to Produce the Letter
He Wrote Mr.. awkesley.
lRN TcleCranhl

(By Telegraph)
LONDON. Oct. 19--F'loor and CALLER
les were densely crowded today in the
House of Commons in anticipation OF
u speech by the secretary of state for
the colonies, Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain,
on the governments policy in South
Africa. "....
The first lord of the treasury ana
government leader. Arthur ]. Balfour.
promised to answer tomorrow a ques-
ton whether the government had de-
cided upon a specific course of action
With reference to recommendations to
the International conf mission regarding
the future disposition of Samoa.
CHI EFcEsS FOR CHAM Il t1TeLAIN
| Mr.. Chamberlain who was loudly
cheered on rising began with a severe
| criticism OF the action Of the opposl-
ton at the previous meeting of Par
lament Their statements, he said
were calculated to encourage Presi-
dent Kruger's resistance and to en-
i, barrass the government in ''nost diff
| cult and a most critical function
| Referring to Mr.. Starhope's demand
yesterday for the production Of his
| CCha rlbcrlainG letter to Mr.. Hawkes.
! Icy, he said. he would gladly produce
this if MIR. VIM. Vernon Harcourt and
John Morley, who were members Of
the South African commission deman-
ued it.
MI Stanhope's criticism he character
lied as ':neither honest nor honora-
! BILE"
| The speaker. Mr.. VIM. Court Gully.
| interviewed, saying that the language or
the colonial secretary was beyond Par.
liamentary bounds
Mr.. V-hanllycrlain retor, ed that If ,,,aa
impossible adequately to describe MIR.
Stanhope's accusation thar he (Cham-
berlain) and Sir Alfred ,Milner had TO-
mentcd wa:.
I The government welcomed all hon
est and honorable criticism of their
policy said Mr.. Chamberlain, land /
wish could apply these epithets to the
speech for the members for Burnley"
! MIR. STANROPE @IINC1ITED.
Mr.. Stanhope. leaping to his feet,
cried: II rise to order. I thought Tit
/ yesterday TO arraign the conduct of the
Sc .retary of state tor the colonies He
speaks Of my criticism as dishonorable
and dishonest. Can such terms be an.
piled to members OF this hOuseo" (Op-
position cheers).
| The Speaker-"i thing the Language
or the secretary Of state for the colo
nics IS going beyond-'' tthe rest OF
his words being drowned in wild Irish
cheers and shouts OF ''Withdraw"9
MI. Chamberlain calmly waited until
the uproar had subsidized and then said:
bow with all respect, Mr.. Speaker,
to your decision. i Withdraw eycry-i
thing | have said"
Then amid frequent ronfcal !risl,
cheers, he proceeded TO denounce the
Campaign of SANDER based upon his
refusal to accept Mr.. Stanhope's chal-
lenSe to produce the letter he wrote
HaWkesley, saying that If Sir Henry
Sampbell-Eannerman or Sir VIM Yer
i non Harcourt desired to see the letter.
he would produce il With the greatest
pleasure, as they were honorable mem
bcrs and honorable men CCries Of
Order and 'Withdraw"D
MI. Stanhope again lcapcd to his
lect and called upon the speaker to in
tcrvene.
AS THE SPEAK Err SAW TT.
The speaker rejoined that he did not
think what the colonial secretary hac:
said imputed dishonorable conduct to
the member for Burnley
/ With regard to the allegations re-
spectlng his own association with Cecil
knodes, ne declared that from the time
CT the Jameson raid, he had had no
communication, either direct or indi-
rect with Mr.. Rhodes on any subject
connected with the South African
policy.
MI. Chamberlain said that in tn.
hight OF recent events and of the utter
ances OF President Kruger. he had come
TO the conclusion that war had ALWAYS
been inevitable although it was only
OF late that he had himself most re-
luctantly reached this view He had
hoped for peace and striven to maintain
~, ana up to recent date he had be-
l'cVed that peace was possible He had
always been determined to secure JUS
tsce 1or the British in South Africa and
70 MAINTAIN the paramountcy OF Great
Sritain; but with these things assured
ne desired peace. Whenever there mad
neen doubt as to President kruger's
motives the government had always
sven MN the benefit OF the doubt
MUST PROTECT SUBJECTS.
turning 70 the principles involved in
Inc war. the secretary went on to say:
If we maintain our existence as a
great powe., in South Africa we arc
bound to show that we are Willing ana
able 10 protect British subjects wher-
ever they have suffered injustice and
oppression. Great Britain must remain
the paramount power in South Africa.
GO not mean paramount in the Ger
man and Portuguese possessions but
in the two republics and the British
colonies" 7a
Mr. Chamberlain then proceeded 70
. discuss the question of racial animosty
, denying that the feeling, which, he
said. was based in South Africa on
contempt. would be increased by hos
:. tiiities. Racia! animosity existed be-