The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-08
HOUSE DISCUSSES BOER WAR.
ShafrOth Speaks for Kruger and
Grosvenor Replies.

WASHINGTON, Feb. THE House nm
ished the diplomatic and consular. appro-
priation bill to-day, passing it substan-
TALLY as it came from the Ncommittee.
There was some desultory discussion Of
the Philippine question and the war in
South Africa, the principal feature being
the speech of Mr.. Shafroth in favor of
mediation in the British-Boer war under
the provisions of The Hague treaty. The
diplomatic bill passed carries So, 743,90s.
In the course of his speech, in reply to
questions. Mr.. Shafroth insisted that the
South African Republic was an indepen-
dent government, Notwithstanding Great
Britain's claim of suzerainty While the
British were demanding relief in the South
African Republic, he said, three thousand
Dutch residents of British Guiana, born
on British soil, who are not allowed to
hold Office in either legislative, executive
or judicial branches of the colonial gov
eminent, were petitioning for relief Their
cases were almost analogous to those Of
the outlanders in the Transvaal, yet Great
Britain refused to listen to the Dutch in
her own colony. Mr.. Shafroth said he did
not advocate armed Intervention or even
mediation, but only the tender of our good
offices under Section of The Hague
treaty.
Mr.. Grosvenor replied briefly to Mr.. Shat
roth, saying that the ratifications of The
Hague treaty have not yet been exchanged.
He said he sympathized with any people
struggling for liberty. Proceeding, he set
the House In a roar by running over the
history of Europe, pointing out here and
there the wrongs suffered by Hungarians,
Finlanders, Poles, ETC., all of which were
represented in his district, yet the United
States had not felt called on to interfere.
He concluded with the suggestion that a
Of
aries of 10000 each. be appointed to roam
over the earth to discover where wrongs
have been committed and report to the
House in order that the United States
might go to war every time the kin Of any
of our constituents were oppressed.
Mr.. Shafroth, who again obtained the
floor after Mr.. Grosvenor concluded was
interrupted by William Alden Smith, of
Michigan, who asked If the gentleman from
Colorado knew whether the kindly offices
of the United States had been offered in
the Boer-British war.
Mr.. Shafroth replied that he did not.
'but," he added at would thank God If
such was the case He asked If Mr..
Smith had any Information on the subject.
Mr.. Smith replied that he was not au-
thorized TO speak for the administration,
requested to act by either party to the con-
f1ict its kindly offices would be willingly
placed at their disposal.
do you know that such an offer has
been nader" persisted Mr.. Shafroth.
such information would be conveyed
through our diplomatic channels in London
and Pretoria" responded Mr.. Smith, but
of the entire willingness OF this govern
ment to act If properly requested by the
parties engaged in the conflict there can
be no question"
Mr. Gillett, of Massachusetts,. defined his
position relative to the Philippines, de-
claring that in his opinion the natives OF
the islands were not fit for self-govern-
ment and would not be within his lifetime,
and that, as they had come to us by treaty
the only question now open was how shall
we govern them.
Mr.. Terry Of Arkansas, said the Repub-
lican party had changed very greatly since
1860. when it stood for the liberation of
the slaves. Now under its auspices, slav-
ery was recognized and tolerated in the
Philippines.
At 3:l5 D. m. the House adjourned.