The Portland daily press., 1900-01-31

g rislntlon, as Affairs In South Africa,
political and military, would undoubted-
ly engage the present parliament 10 Q
great extent. The war wss uppermost
In all minds when the memters separated
In Ostober. and 10 was believed there
were troops enough In South Africa TO
rapidly clear the q ssen's dominions.
week after week had seen checks, dis
appointments and depl,rable loss Of life.
In every instance the advance Of the
British troops had tesn stayed by large
bodies Of the enemy. But the country
hail asaln aud again gous through great.
or perlls with courage and composure
and would not now depart from It's high
traditions. The courage and fortituds Of
british soldiers was never more conspic-
uous and they must associate with this
the sons Of the colonies, who had showed
aptitude In this kind Of
warfare. he appreciated the gsllantry
and devotion which led their country b
volunteer, but be wished to know the
reasons which necessitatsd this unusual
method OF reinforcing the army.
He and his # lends had resolved to sup
port vigorous prosecution Of the wnr
that the integrity Of the Quesn's domin-
IONS be speedily vindics ted. and he imss-
tined there would be no difficulty In OBJ
tanning the additional supplies necessary.
"Here my agreement with the govern
msnt osases.: said the Libsral leader. Sir
Henry Campbell banner man then pro-
decided with a bisser oonde nm alton Of the
administr alton and the tone and temper
In which 1t had approached the whole
south African problem. saying that the
narrownsss Of the governments provis-
lon for military requirements nsosssatat-
cd hostilitiss and asserting that its pol
10y made var probable. He believed
this feeling was largely shared by the
hor 50 and was glad of the opportunity
promis ed to express his opinion. The
speaker repudiated the Idea that they
should await the end Of the war before
discuss ing the matter. This was the very
time, he declared, for effective criticism,
and those wishing to disclaim respon-
hbility, should do so now.
"Ihe ministers tell u" he continued,
"that this war was undertaken to ssours
equal rights for white men. l hops
they will transfer this laudable doctrine
10 this country. Many Instances might
be applied where too little consideration
has been shown ondsr MIR. Chamber
lsin's administration to the loyal Dutch
of Cape Colony. The Cape ministers
who are as much crown ministers rs
Mr.. Cham Der lain, treated them IN man
nsr ill-oalculated to allay doubts and
fears"
The recess brought many speeches on
this subject; and establishment succeed
ed establishment at their statements.
They now declare that 1t was inevitsbls
which is obviously an ex post facto opin.
ion, and, II not, the ministers are hope
lessiy condemned and ought to be hurled
from power.
MIR. Arthur J. Balfour. after vain at
tempt to draw Sir Henry Caupbell-Ba Ban
herman into an admission that he did
not advocate pushing the war into Bosr
territory, reproaohed him with waiting
until tile country had become involved In
military difficulties to bring a vote Of
censure of the colonial secretary. MIR.
Falfour said that at one time the g,vsrn-
ment believed the war would be avoided.
He said that General Butler had the COM
mon military opinion that the forces sent
were "Quite sufficient.
MIR. Halfour declared that the govern
m emit had not directly or indirectly inter-
fered with the discretion of the generals
in the field. Replying to a direct question
"Did Gan. Butler 60 to Natal, purely In
the exercise of his military discretions"
Mr.. BaIfour answered In the affirmative.
1.-THE oposition," said Mr. Halfour.
hare apparently ready to take upon their
own shoulders the government Of the
country and the conduct Of the war. II
parliament should think 1t advisable to
change the government at the present
junoture would support any succeeding
government In the steps necessary to
prosecute the war to the conclusion we
all DESIRE"
Lord Edmond Fitzmsurioe then moved
the amendment to the address: And we
humbiy express our regret at the want Of
foresight and Judgment displayed by Her
Maiesty's advisers, Us shown alike In
their conduct OF African affairs since 1885
and in their preparation for the war nov
proceeding.
Lord Flszmaurioe attacked Mr.. Cham
herlain's policy especially his failure to
punish the raiders and the retention Of
Cecil Rhodes as member of the privy
council, tog sther with "irr!tating and
reckless methods that plunged the country
into war before any adequate prspara-
tlons were possible {"
The debate was then adjourned.
HOUSE OF LORDS.
The Prince Of Wales, the Duke o. Con-
nauzht and the Duke of Cambridge were
seated on the cross benches. The Duke
Of Somerset moved an address In reply to
the Queens speech and the Earl of Shat =.
tesbury seconded the motion. The Duke
of Somerset during the course Of his re-