Daily Kennebec journal., 1900-12-08
SCORES A POINT.
Chamberlain Takes Wind from
Liberals Sails.
Promises Civil Government for Both
the Boer Republics.
SEVERE MILITARY MEASI-RES
ALSO TO BE STOPPED.

London, Dec. S.-Mr Chamberlain
still fills the political STAGE. His unex-
pectcd but 2droit announcement i'm tho
House of Commons. Yesterday. tba-
civil government would be given 10 the
two Bocr republics. coupled with the
promise to limit farm burning and
| other severe military measures so far
as possible, has taken the bottom out
of the chief amendment Of the opposi-
tion to the address.
Mr.. Chamberlain said the govern
ment hoped-it was hope and not
prophccy-that very shortly. indeed be-
fore the House met again. something
III the nature of Il civil administra ton
might be established in both the Or
ange River and the Transvaal colonies
Sir Alfred Miner. he added. would be
appointed governor Of both.
Here Mr.. V. Duncan Pirie. Liberal.
member FOR North Aberdeen, a former
captain of the Aberdecnshirc militia
who recently returned from South At
rica. where he went to look after the
remounts department before the war
broke out interrupted Mr.. Chamber
lain. saying: You will lose South AT.
riCa."
Mr.. Chamberlain proceeded without
noticing the remark.
Mr.. Chamberlain said a lieutenant
governor would be appointed for the
Orange River colony and that both
governments would have executive
councils but not necessarily the same
constitution. Mr.. Chamberlain also
said he had suggested to Sir Alfred
Milner the issue Of proclamations III
English and Dutch setting for the gov
ernments intentions. which were ami
mated by no vcndictiveness against
the men in arms. The government
thought it impossible that reasonable
men could ask it to fix n day when full
lfgovcrnmcnt could be granted.
The government had laid down three
objects: First, To end the guerilla war.
1t would not surprise him il the Beers
had destroyed more farms than the
English. Never in history had a way
been wased with 50 much humanity.
The government sustained Lord Rob
erts absolutely. The second object was
that when pacification was accomplish
ed a crown government would be in
stituted. The third object was ulti-
mate self government.
Mr. Asluth contcnded that amnesty
should h" granted to the Boer leaders
Timothy Hcaly. Nationalist member
from North Louth, warned the Beers
against accepting british sham.
cir Henry Campbell Banncrman said
that Mr.. Chamberiain's speech was
more favorable than the opposition had
expected. and that the government had
practically accepted the amendment.
This new phase. combined With the
failure Of the Kruger mission. ana the
fact that the Worcester Dutch Con
@lcss passed of without troubl" Will
persuade the public that the South Af-
rican situation is loss mcnacinE than
has recently lcan supposed and VIII
help 10 :c, omplish the main object O;
the government in the securing Of The
consent or Parliament 70 the necessary
financial measures.
Thus. although the session is likely
- hc prolonged beyond a fortnight,
which Tho government nad hoped .
would not hc the ease. it vii! be less
stormy than was anticipated The re-
mark Of Mr.. Asquith, Radical member g
frr East Fifrshire. this evening. that
thn moving Of the amendment was JUS
titicd by Mr Chambcrlain's declara
tiors. was about the only thing left
to: tie Liberals to say after the colo /
NAL secretary sat down
Mr.. Chamberlain went on to say that I
h,, hoped the civil government he had
outlined would be inauguratcd in Feb
rualy. The municipalities would bc .
created rs soon as possible. notably 2t I
Pretoria. Bloemfontcin, and Johannes .
burg. with all municipal privileges. Af- /
Islanders would be employed as oii-.!
ciuls as far as possible and every man. /
Hocr or britain. would have equal laws (
and equal liberties.
Joseph Walton. Radical member for |
West Riding Barnslcy. Yorkshire, |
moved an amendment to the effect that |
more adequate measures should be TAX !
cr to safeguard the interests of China |
and that no demand should be made on |
the Chinese government for the punish
ment of Chinese officials which could |
not bc equally imposed in the case Of
Il European power. This amendment !
also declared that reparation should be |
sought in trade facilities rather than |
money indemnity.
Niscnunt Cranborn. replying. con- |
tended that it would not be opportunc |
to make a general statement while ne
cotiations were proceeding. The House |
then adjourned.
The total supplementary estimate OF |
SIG. 900 900 issued. Friday morning. |
makes the total army estimates for the
wear. CO, 500. .153.
London Dec. S.--Both the manner |