New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-07
DETAILS OF THE DEBATE.
Continued from first page.

that the could have been avoided by Pres-
dent KRUGER accepting the proposals made IN
September. which. according to the speaker,
were perfectly compatible with the maintenance
OF the independence of the TransvaaI and
proper instalment of long delayed justice to the
British population of the Transvaal. If he
thought the British negotiations were a mere
cloak to attack the independ nee of the Trans
vaal or to annex the countr:. then. in spite OF
the invasion of British territory and the loss OF
British lives he could not have -econciled his
conscience with voting penny for the prosecu-
ton of the war That was not the opinion of
the House of Commons nor of the great ma
jority of the country. That was why they were
united in Parliament and were united people
Doubtless there had been demonstrable lack
of foresight and insight. Mr.. Chamberlain no
doubt, would give much for a chance OF re-
editing his dispatches There was, however. no
ground in anything which had happened or in
anything which they could contemplate at pres
ent for the "croakings of pessimism or fits OF
panic"
Mr.. Asquith's speech almost caused sensa-
ton in the House Mr. Asquith represents the
Rosebery party. and Lord Rosebery was present
in the gallery to hear him.
JOHN BURNS CALLED TO ORDER.
John Burns Radical Member for Battersea,
congratulated the Opposition upon having the
courage to do its duty "unnfuenced by news
papers owned by blackguards and edited by
ruffians who clamor for war" He characterized
it as absurd to say that the debate would be
an encouragement and an incentive to the
Beers. and exclaimed:
The Beers do not need an incentive This was
supplied them years ago by the laundering pol
Icy of the Colonial Secretary whose speech
might be fairly summarized as follows: There
M q emf xrar
Union Jack. few mistakes have been COM
mitted. Therefore double your army in South
Africa" And then peroration in the language
of the pothouse and the spirit Of the prizering
Mr.. Speaker-Order! Order!
Mr.. Burns-If you take exception to pot
house" Mr. Speaker, I withdraw 1t and substi-
tute stock Exchange"
Replying to question of John Dillon. Nation
alist Member for East Mayo. as TO whether the
Government intended to treat foodstuffs as con-
traband in the present war, and. II so, under
what restrictions and limitations, A. j. Balfour
the Government leader and First Lord OF the
Treasury. said that foodstuffs. such, had
never been considered contraband by Great
Britain. He added that foodstufrs intended to
supply an army in the field were by the univer-
sal consent of International lawyers regarded as
contraband and prize court would decide the
facts connected with the shipments.
Asked If the Government intended to direct
cruisers to seize all cargoes for Lourenco Mar
ques until their character was determined by a
prize court, Mr. Balfour declined to make any
statement in this connection.
George Wyndham Parliamentary Secretary
for the War Office, replying to a question, said
there was reason to believe that many of the
guns from the forts at Pretoria had been sent
to the front, and that some of them had range
Of over ten thousand yards. The British Siege
train sent out in December, he added, had guns
of equal range.
The president of the 7 aft of Agriculture
Walter Long, confirming the outbreak of the foot
and mouth disease, said the situation
grave one, but he hoped to prevent the disas-
trous results which must ensue II the disease be-
came epidemic
INTERVIEW WITH BUTLER DENIED.
In answer to question, Mr. Balfour said there
truth in the story of Major-G General Sir
William Buffers communications to Sir Alfred
Miner, the British High Commissioner in South
Africa as published by THE Manchester Guar
dian to-day
According to the story referred to- Major-General
Butler, the former commander of the British forces
in South Africa, objected reinforcing the border
garrisons and said that 5000 should be IN
hand at the outbreak of war. even IL 1t con-
fined to the South African Republic.