The Portland daily press., 1900-12-07

In view OF the debate on the address in
reply to the Queens speech, a large num-
ber Of pserssses gathered in the galleries
of the House Eof Lords. Ths United
States ambassador, Mr.. Joseph I'll. Choate
and other foreign representatives were
in the diplomatic gallery. The Earl OF
Latham novel the address,
Baron Monk Breton, Liberal Unionist,
seconded the address. Lord Kimberley,
the Liberal leader insthe Houss OF Lords,
during the course of his remarks, amin
adaverted strongly upon the sudden disso-
luton OF Parliament.
Lord Salisbury paid q tribute to the
skill of Lord Roberts ana Gen Kitchener.
and to the bravery of the officers and
soldiers.
In regard to South Africa, the premier
spoke with great solemnity. He said
the Transvaalers the Free Staters and the
world should understand there could be
no deviation from the policy of the gov
ernment as already outlined. Anything
resembling independence never could
be granted. The war must proceed to the
inevitable issue. We must let 1t be felt
that no one, by the issue OF an insolent
and audacious ultimatum could force
the British government to humble Itself
and abandon Its right. We could never
allow that shred of independence should
bo left. How soon the Free Staters and
the Transvaaler would have anything
like self-governing powers depended up
on themselves. 1t might be years and 1t
might.be generations. Regarding Cnina,
Lord Salisbury said hs was unable to
reveal anything as 1t would be betray-
ing not only the secrets cf the govern
ment, but those Of other nations. 1t
might have been happy, however, to be
able to quiet the fears Of Lord Kim moerley
regarding the pursuit of the Emperor
anu Empress. He had never heard Of
suoh a suggestion.
The concert existed and the latest In
telligence showed that ii possessed very
reasonable vitality. He was more doubt
full of the time when a satisfactory re-
suit would be achieved than of the fact
that concert OF Europe would be sue
oesstul.
The feature OF the session was Lord
Roseberry's spirited attack on the gov
srnment. He was unsparing Of his oriti-
cism OF the dissolution of Parliament. the
conduct of the war, the. policy Of the gov
ernment toward China and everything.
He eaustically commented on the recon-
struotion Of the cabinet, oongratulating
Lord Salisbury on being the chief Of
family numbering so many capable ad-
! N,a4w 70. ~,
inclusion In 1.-THE cabinet of so many Of
Lord Salisbury relatives.
Lord Roseberry's comment on the
charges against Mr.. Joseph Chamberlain.
the secretary of state for the colonies,
was severe. He deprecated over-belief in
the creuibility of all the charges, but
said 1t was evident the head of the oabi-
net had failed in proper supervision and
that the pride OF England in the purity
of its public men had suffered.
The Duke of Devonshire replied to Lord
Roseberry and Lord Tweedmouth closed
the debate for the Liberals.
The address was then agreed to and the
House of Lords adjourned until Monday.
PARLIAMENT OPENS.
London, December GA few minutes
after the speaker, Mir. William Court
Gully had taken his chair in the House
ois Commons tails afternoon the gem
tlemen usher OF the black rod, Sir
Michael Bidduiph, appeared and sum
moned the Commons to the House of
Lords, where the Lord chancellor, the
Earl OF Halsbury, read the Queens
speech.