The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-06
NEVER A SECOND MAJUBA
CHAMBERLAIN MAKES A PREDIC-
TION In THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Speech by the Colonial Secretary
RumOr that n Briton Was Shot at
Harrismfth Not Confirmed.

Free State, South Africa, for refusing TO
fight against his own countrymen, John
McLachlan. jr., aged 30, eldest son of John
McLachlan, of Wardsworth, and grandson
o. the late John McLachlan, of Lambeth
The secretary of state for the colonies,
Joseph Chamberlain, said he had received
cable message from the Governor of
Natal to the effect that the report of the
shooting of McLachlan had appeared in
the press. but had subsequently been con-
tradicted. The Governor added that he
was trying to obtain information in regard
to the matter The government, Mr.. Cham
berlain added, had asked the British am
bassador at Washington. Lord Pauncefote,
to request the United States government
to inquire into the matter at Pretoria,
through the United States consul there.
Mr.. Chamberlain admitted that critical
stage of the war had been reached and
that the situation was undoubtedly serious,
though, he added, he did not believe that
the country was in danger He briefly
summarized the negotiations with the
Transvaal, pointing out that the issues be-
tween the Beers and British were real and
great and inherent in the difference be-
tween the Boer and British civilizations.
If the preparations for war were insult
ficient. he continued, it was wholly due to
the fact that the government was de-
termined to do everything TO secure peace
and to do nothing to endanger it.
Mr.. Chamberlain further declared that
the war was just, necessary and righteous.
He regretted the proposed amendment TO
the address. because, he said, it would
throw doubt on the unitedness of the king
dom. 1--WE have suffered checks" said Mr..
Chamberlain, land have made mistakes.
am not anxious to dispute as to the blame.
Let the government bear the brunt until
the time comes when. under happier aus
pices, We can see how far the blame is
to be apportioned between the system and
those administering it, In the meantime
blame US. What is now urgent is to re-
dress those checks and to repair mistakes.
You say we have sent too few troops but
we are pouring them into South Africa.
In a few weeks we will have 100000 men
there. We will have as many mounted men
as there are mounted Beers Our colonies
are multiplying their offers; every offer is
gratefully accepted, and Lord Roberts has
selected from among the colonials his
guard of honor.
Meanwhile the spirit of the nation is
unbroken. There is sacrifice which we
unwilling to make. There is no sacri-
flee we are unwilling TO ask OF the colonies,
If we think it necessary to succeed. i must
go farther than this and admit that this
war, under new conditions, in new coun-
Try, WITH new arms, against a people WHOSE
tenacity and courage are as admirable as
the courage and tenacity of our own SOL
diers, has required a larger scheme than
any the government has yet been called
on to meet.
lone of the lessons of the is the
enormous defensive power possessed by
troops defending their own country. The
second point is that when we propose a
scheme to meet this emergency we shall
do so not as a party, butt as nation. No
other nation has ever had a better right
however, to be proud of her soldiers. What
other nation could transport so many
troops so great a distance so well?
1T would be premature" continued the
colonial secretary, ito talk of terms of set
Element. Speaking for the government
there will be no second Majuba. Never
again shall the Beers erect in the heart
of South Africa citadel whence to pro-
coed TO disaffection and race animOsity.
Never again shall they be able to endan-
der the paramountcy of Great Britain.
Never again shall they be able to treat an
Englishman as though he belonged to an
inferior race.
Referring to statements regarding ma
tional gloom, Mr. Chamberlain said: II
ETY. and of irritation, perhaps, but not of
vacillation approaching fear or gloom
Mr.. Chamberlain asked the opposition
whether they believed in the proposition
that the war was necessary, and said the
opposition proposed to vote for the war as
unjust and unnecessary" and then vote
for its vigorous prosecution. The war, the
secretary claimed, could not be avoided ex-
cept by the absolute surrender on the part
of Great Britain of all to which she at
tached Importance. Believing the war in
evitable how could they vote for an amend
ment that said the war was avoidable.
the party. but in the eyes of Europe it
threw doubt upon the union of the United
Kingdom.
The colonial secretary concluded with a
glowing tribute to the manner in which
the colonies have rallied to the empire,
saying: 1--WE are now finding the infinite
potentialitieS and resources of the en-
pire. We are advancing to the realization
of that great federation of our race which
mus inevitably make for peace. liberty and
justice"
John Dillon said the Nationalist. believ-
ing the war to be IAN unjust and iniquitous
war Of aggression, entirely unprovoked,
were unable to support an amendment de-
claring that the war should be prosecuted
with vigor." He pressed for the publication
OF General Sir William Buffers dispatches.
saying: ut is generally believed that Sir
William Butler considered that, in case of
war. no attempt should be made to pro-
tect Natal beyond the Tugela- If SO the
country is entitled to know
Mr.. Balfour-No, IL is not.
Mr.. Dillon, continuing. said the military
reputation of England was irreparably
ruined, that tbs Beers had established a
claim to be free and that no amount of
brute force could ever diminish their
claim.
There was multiplicity of war questions
in the House of Commons to-day, but little
interest was taken in them. Mr. Wynd-
ham, parliamentary under secretary for the
War Office, said in answer to a question
that the government had no information
regarding the alleged shooting of Irish
prisoners by orders of Colonel Baden
Powell, and General Lord Methuen. An
swering another question Mr.. Wyndham
said the British artillery in South Africa
was fully up to the continental standard.
Mr.. Balfour. the government leader, re-
plying to William Redmond. Irish Nation
alist, said the secretary of state for the
colonies. Mr.. Chamberlain, never made
any such announcement as the one referred
to by Mr.. Redmond, namely. that triple
alliance between Great Britain. United
States and Germany had been arrived at
Replying TO another question of Red
mond's, suggesting the formation of a vol
unteer corps in Ireland TO replace the
troops withdrawn. Mr.. Balfour said he
recognized the patriotism of Mr.. Redmond
constituents, but this change In the settled
policy of the government required further
consideration.
The government has decided to make a
free use Of the closure IL necessary to get
the debate on the address concluded this
week so as not to delay the votes Of sup
plies for the war. Arrangements have been
made to bring the Fitzmaurice amendment
to division tomorrow night, and there
will probably be a late sitting.