New-York tribune., 1900-12-07
CHAMBERLAIN ATTACKED
NSATTONAL SCENES IN THE
HOUSE OF COMlIONS.
RITTER TNVECTIvEs AND Personal
TIES ENCHANGED-BOER WAR
ANGRTLY DISCUSSED.


London. Dec THE fifteenth Parliament Of
she reign Of Queen Victoria opened yesterday.
BEFORE the lights went out in the ancient cham
her almost every leading politician had spoken.
such fierce personal animosity and such bitter
invective had scarcely ever before marked pro-
ceealngs al Westminster
Mr. Joseph Chamberlain. Secretary Of State
for the Colonies was the centre Of the storm.
The policy Of the empire regarding South Africa
and China. the action Of the Government in
causing a dissolution when il did the conduct
~ the war against the Beers, and in fact all
the questions vitality affecting the empire were
e-rsvelv discussed and explained But domi-
mating an was the Opposition's hatred Of the
Colonial Secretary From Lord Rosebery's
yelled illusions in the House Of Lords, when he
assumed what many took 10 be the practical
leadership of the Liberal party, 10 the outspoken
comment in the House OF Commons. criticism
81 Mr.. Chamberlain permeated almost every
,,tterance from the Liberal benches.
For hours this target Of satire and abuse sat
NTH his arms clasped around his CATERS. his
head on one side listening intently. unmOved
nv rroans or cheers Sir Henry Campbell Ban
herman shook his notes in Mr.. Chamberlain S
face and declared that man who published
private letters for political purposes Creferring
"a the Clark-ElIis correspondence would be
excluded from the society Of all honorable men
and ostracized for life had he resorted to such
action as a private individual
Arthur J. Balfour, First Lord Of the Treas
ury referring TO Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-
mans suave regrets at the departure of George
J. Goschen and Sir Matthew White Ridley from
the front bench, said he believed that Sir Henry
was so generous that he would even find good
IN Mr. Chamberlain. should the latter be re-
moved TO another sphere. A Liberal shouted
we draw the line somewhere" and both sides
Of the House roered with laughter
once Mr. Chamberlain interrupted and leaped
10 his feet. A thrill went through the House.
1T is not So" he declared. and proceeded 10
deny the allegation that he had said that any
seat lost TO the Government during the recent
election was one sold TO the Beers.
CHAMBERLAIN's REPLY.
II was nearly II o'clock before he rose 20 reply
20 the avalanche Of attack launched against him
How great a strain ne had undergone was evi-
dent in the scarcely suppressed excitement Of
tone on the part Of one rarely known to show
feeling in the House.
He denied that he had ever accused Mr.. Ellis
Of being traitor He denied also that he had
decried any accusations against his own personal
Integrity. He declared that the special purpose
OF the meeting Of Parliament had been forgotten
f. an attack upon himself Irritated beyond
control by frequent interruptions and disturb
anoes. ne called of the Liberals. amid the
excitement, cad.
The Speaker called him 10 order, and Mr..
Chamberlain withdrew the epithet, apologizing
for its rse. After defending the publication OF
the Ellis correspondence. he was cut of by the
midnight adjournment
To-day the Opposition VIII move an amend
ment TO the address setting forth grounds for
an early announcement Of the Governments
policy
Among the other leading features Of the open
ing session. in which the Liberal benches were
SO sparsely filled and the Governments side
packed that there was no room for vast
jority was Mr Balfour's announcement that no
member Of the Cabinet had said that he
had even dreamed the Boer republics would re-
main permanently under the Crown Colony form
Of government. That restricted phase of lib
erty," declared Mr.. Balfour, will only be neces-
sary as a temporary expedient"
After expressing in earnest tones the hearty
desire Of the Government 10 cooperate with the
Opposition in doing anything bring about
cessation Of hostlities Mr.. Balfour said he real
izes deeply the terrible danger Of embittering
the Dutch in South Africa. In order TO show
the difficulties confronting the British in dis
tinguishing between combatants and non-com-
batants he read an extract from the United
States Army Regulations. showing the severity
with which persons alternating as combatants
and non-conbat2nts were treated under the
American organization. While Mr.. BalfOur was
IN the middle Of a solemn declaration that the
Government would endeavor 10 temper necessity
with mercy IN dealing with brave enemy. a
Liberal called out. 1T would be better for the
Beers 10 be dead than the English"
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman's arraignment
OF tie Government was long and satiricaL He
declared that the Liberals were perfectly agreed
mat the Boer republics should be annexed 10
Great Britain. but said they wanted TO know
definitely what the Government proposed TO do
ia the future before voting money.
All requests for Information elected from Mr.
baiiour nothing more than congratulations. Sir
henfy said, therefore that the Opposition would
oppose the progress Of the vote in supply.