The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-05-05

| Z
stead Of October and November, we would
never have formulated an ultima tum.
| Therefore, we come in the light Of these
| belated assurances, to see If the war can
| be stopped. That is the object of our
mission, and its only object We will
| gladly consent to submit ali questions of
guarantees and indemnity TO the decision
| of any imperial tribunal. Grant US that
and we will lay down our arms tomor-
| row."
| Mr.. Fischer also said that the republics
would he willing to slbmit to a tribunal
from which foreigners were excluded.
| SPION kOP IN PARLIAMENT
| London, May Ain the house of COM
mons today several questions with refer
ence to the war were asked. The parlia-
mentary secretary of the war Office, Mr.
Wyndham, said no further report had
been received from Lord Roberts with
reference to the Kroonspruit disaster.
The government leader in the house,
Mr.. Balfour, replying to questions regard
ing the reports of the ill-treatment of the
British prisoners at Pretoria, said her
majesty's government was considering
ACCESSIBILITY of further representations on
the subject through Washington and
through the United States consul at Pre-
toria, Adlebert 8. Hay, who has charge
of British interests in the Transvaal
Later the house went into committee Of
supply on the war Office vote. Walter
Runcieman, Liberal, representing Old
ham, started the debate on the publica-
ton of the Spion Kop dispatch. He de-
clared the government had disregarded
every consideration except publicity, and
asserted that the responsibility for the
publication rested entirely with politicians
although in this case the secretary for
war had deliberately attempted to throw
the responsibility on the commander-in-
chief" The public. Mr. Runcieman as
serted, had expected the recall of the
censured commanders.
Mr. Wyndham, in reply. quoted Duke
of wellington as precedent for the pub
LEGATION of the dispatch. In 80 doing. he
said, he resented the grave insinuaton
that the secretary of state for war was
guilty of anything dishonorable in requir-
ing General Butler to rewrite his dis
patch.
Continuing, Mr.. Wyndham said he was
prepared to discuss the question of the
judgment and the discretion, but rot of
the honor or rectitude. of the Marquis of
Lansdowne. Many misconceptions in re-
gard to the dispatch had already evapor-
ated. including the belief that General
Lord Roberts and General Butler had
criticised General Methuen's operations
and that the Criticisms had been sup
pressed as supposed, by ravoritism The
only point at issue was why the criti-
cisms of General Butler had been publish
ed, if the government intended to leave
him in command.
Mr.. Wyndham contended that it was
impossible to isolate the Spion Kop dis
patches and treat them as no other dis
patch had been treated in the history Of
he asserted, had acted entirely in accord
ance with the queens regulations. 1t
was said that the publication would be-
speak the people of the nation in their
commander, but Mr.. wyndham said that
was not the view of the government nor
the view Of General Butler, who was in
the best position to decide
At this point Mr.. Dillon, Irish nation
alist member for East Mayo, interrupted.
saying he had never asserted that he
wanted the dispatches published.
Mr.. Wyndham continued: But the
gallant general has been applauded for
saying he would stick to what he had
written, and would have made a great
show Of cansior if he thought no one
would know what he had written?' This
remark was greeted with cries, "Oh. Oh"
Mr.. Wyndham then said he thought
General Butler merely had been un1uckv
an dthat General Warren's services should
not be overlooked. The case for the gov
erEment va sthat the right course was 70
publish what it had published and no
more. He was persuaded that both Cen
eral Butler and Lord Roberts had sent
the dispatches home for publics sion. Did
the house suppose harm was done 10
commander by a dispatch showing his
scheme was a good one and ought 20
have succeeded or by deciding FIVE points
in his favor while one point was critf-
cised? With regard 70 General Butler. 10
attempt to apologize for him would be a
great insult 10 50 great a man. who ha,f
deserved well Of his country and his
troops would be glad to know his strate-
gy was praised By Lord Roberts
Great victories over disease are daily !