Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-01
(By Telegraph to vlrginIan-Pllot.)

~
London. April 30.-The banquet given
at the Hotel Cecil. in London, this even
ing by the British Empire League in
honor of the colonial troops in South
Africa and of the Australian Federal ton
delegates, brought together a brilliant
gathering. The Duke of Devonshire
Lord President OF the Council of Min
listers. presided, thanked by the Prince
of Wales. the Duke of York, the Duke
of Cambridge. the Duke Of Fife, the
Marquis of Salisbury. Joseph Chamber
lain. Lord Wolseley. Lord Strathcona
son. President of the Canadian League,
and Lord Lansdowne The company
included some go others. The Duke of
Devonshire proposed the health of the
Queen. The Prince of Wales referred
feelingly to the Brussels eooside and
acknowledged the patriotism of the
colonies In the mother country's fight
Lord Salisbury. proposing 1.-THE I'M
perial Forces" also eulogized the colo
MES and their troops. Continuing, Lord
Salisbury said:
Not only have they helDed us in
what l trust is n conquering campaign
out they have also given us moral sun
port which. In the present state of opin-
ION in some parts of the world is of
no small Importance. After what the
colonies have done. it is realized that
Nreat Grltain is Il far more important
nation in the world than before
Hord Salisbury deprecated guv-at-
tempt TO expedite Il fusion of the colo
mes with the mother country by legis-
iauon. declaring that it would be bet
ter 10 allow this wonderful growth of
sentiment to continue. by its own laws
and according to the impulse of it's
own vitality"
MIR. Chamberlain. proposed "Onr
Australian kinsmen" and agreed with
Lord Salisbury as to any ARTIFICIAL
Mastering OF colonial union, but said
the old day of indifference toward the
coionieS had given place to a strenuous
desire Tor closer union. The Duke Of
Devonsire announced the league had
cabled Lord Roberts that this distin-
Sulshed company was drinking to the
successes OF the imperial froces he was
so apiy commanding and expressing
their high appreciation of the loyal
courage and endurance Of all ranks
addlng that Il reply had been received
from Lord Roberts rendering his CRATE
lul thanks on behalf of the troops and
saying that all were in splendid condi-
ton and that Her Majesty might relv
upon them to bring the campaign in
south Africa to n satisfactory conclu-
SION. sympathy was expressed with the
Ottawa disaster.
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
London, April 3O-In the House OF
Commons to-day, John Gordon Swift
MacNeill. Irish Nationalist, member
for South Donegal. resumed the inter-
roSation Of the Parliamentary Score
tary OF the War Office, Mr. Wyndham.
in regard to the South African war but
got little satisfaction. Speaker Gully
finally called Mr.. MacNeill to order for
demanding to know whether the oper-
ations at Magersfontein were exempt
from criticism by the Communicating
Chief of the British forces in South
Africa because Lord Methuen was "a
society peer and a court favorite."
Mr. Wyndham said that the War
Office had not communicated with Gen
eral Bullcr in connection with the
Spion Kop dispatch. but that communi-
cations had passed between Lord
| Roberts and General Butler in refer
ence to the publication of the dis
| patches In question.
The Government leader, Mr.. Balfour
subsequently announced that with n
| view to clearing up misconceptions
which had gathered round the publ
cation OF the dispatches" he would
place the salary of the Secretary OF
State for War among the votes to be
taken Friday and thus enable a de-
| bate to be had on the subject