New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-06
A PARLIAMENTARY DUEL.
HARCOURT AND CHAMBERLAIN SPEAK
IN HOUSE OF COMMONS.


to-day the debate on the address in reply TO the
Speech from the Throne was resumed by Sir
William Vernon Harcourt Liberal who declared
the war was due to reversal OF the policy laid
down by the Government in 1881 and 1895.
Reviewing the negotiations, Sir William said
that the great misfortune was that the
consulted in regard to the situation in South
Africa were the authors of the raid and the
Helots of Park lane" Here Mr.. Chamberlain
| interjected:
Does the Right Honorable gentleman mean to
assert that the persons TO whom he refers were
consulted by the Colonial Office and that no
others were consulted?
The Liberal statesman parried the question.
Regarding the attacks on the South African
Committee, of which he was a member. Sir Will
lam said the only reason. so far he
aware, that the investigation was not pursued
further that the committee would have to
reassemble during the following session of Par
nsTnent. and the author OF the raid had sufficient
influence inside and outside the House TO pre-
vent the reappointment of the committee. He
also urged that the ISLANDERS regarding the con-
nivance of the Government in the raid should be
rebutted. Sir william contended that though
the was an unhappy business it must be
fought to the bitter end.
Mr.. Chamberlain. the Colonial Secretary. spoke
for forty minutes in reply, dwelling on the
broad issues and not dealing so much with de-
tails He was enthusiastically cheered by the
Ministerial party and occasionally interrupted
by the Irish members. Mr.. Chamberlain paid
glowing tribute 10 the colonies and the promise
of the future federation of the empire. evoking
great enthusiasm.
NO FEARS FOR THE COUNTRY.
Mr. Chamberlain admitted that a critical state
of the war had been reached and that the situa
tion was undoubtedly serious though he added.
he did not believe the country was in danger.
He refused TO discuss the South African Com
mittee and briefly summarized the negotiations
with the Transvaal, pointing out that the issues
between the Beers and British were real and
great and inherent in the differences between
the Boer and British civilizations. If the prepa-
rations for war insufficient he continued, IT
was wholly due to the fact that the Government
was determined to do everything to secure peace
and to do nothing to endanger it. He declared
that the war was just, necessary and righteous.
Mr. Chamberlain asked the Opposition whether
they believed in the proposition that the war
was necessary, and said the Opposition pro-
posed to vote for the war unjust and un-
necessary" and then vote for its vigorous prose-
cution The war the Secretary said could not
have been avoided except by the absolute sur
render on the part of Great Britain of all to
which she attached Importance. Believing the
war inevitable, how could they vote for an
amendment that said the war was unavoidable!
policy of that sort was said TO unite the party,
but in the eyes of Europe it threw doubt upon
the union of the United Kingdom. He added:
We have suffered checks and have made mis-
takes I not anxious 10 dispute as TO the
blame Let the Government bear the brunt un-
til the time comes when, Under happier auspices
see how far the blame is TO pc sppofT
toned between the system and those admins
tering 1t. In the mean time blame us.
What is now urgent is to redress those cnecks
and
too few troops, but we are pouring them INTO
SUolii tyo hnndreS thousand 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
coonials his guard of honor
THE NATIONS RESOLVE.
Meanwhile the spirit of the nation is un-
broken. There is no sacrifice which we are un-
willing to make. There is sacrifice we are
unwilling tc ask of the colonies, if we think it
necessary to success. l must go further than
this, and admit that this war, under new con-
ditions in a country, with new arms
against a new people whose tenacity and cour-
age are admirable as the courage ana te-
nacity Of our soldiers. has required a
larger scheme than any the Government has yet
been called upon to meet.
One Of the lessons OF the war 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 emer-
gency we shall do not party, but as a
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 great distance so We'll?
Speaking for the Government. 1 say there
shall not be a second Majuba. Never again shall
the Beers erect in the heart of South Africa a
citadel whence to proceed to disaffection and
race animosity Never again shall they De able
to endanger the paramountcy of Great Britain
Never again shall they he able TO treat an Eng
lishman though he belonged 10 an INFERIOR
race.
Referring to statements regarding national
gloom" Mr.. Chamberlain said:
I do not accept the phrase. I know of anxiety
and of irritation, perhaps. but not of vacillaton
approaching fear or gloom.
TRIBUTE TO THE COLONIES.
The Colonial Secretary concluded with a glow
ing tribute to the manner in which the colonies
have rallied to the Empire. saying:
We are now finding the infinite potentialities
and resources of the Empire. We advancing
race which must inevitably make for peace, hb-
erty and justice.
Mr. John Dillon said that the Nationalists, be-
lieving the war to be "an unjust and iniquitous
war of aggression, entirely unprovoked," were
unable to support an amendment declaring that
the war should be prosecuted with vigor. He
pressed for the publication of General Sir Will
lam Buffers dispatches. saying:
1t is generally believed that Sir William But
Ter considered that in of attempt
should be made to protect Natal beyond the
Tugela. If so, the country is entitled to know.
Mr. Balfour-No. II is not.
Replying TO question in regard to the death
notice of Jehn McLachlan published by The
Standard Saturday saying that he shot in
the market square at Harrsmith, Orange Free
state on Christmas Day. Mr.. Chamberlain said
he had received a cable message from the Gov
ernor of Natal to the effect that the report OF