The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-02-08
DIPLOMATIC BILL PASSED.
Mr.. Grosvenor Ridioules Practical
Sympathy For the Oppressed.

Washington. Feb. THE House
finished the diplomatic and consular APP
preparation bill today. passing it sub
,tantally as it came from the committee.
There was some desultory discussion of
.he Philippine question and the war in
South Africa. the principal feature being
the speech Of Mr.. Shafroth. in favor of
mediation in the Rritish-Boer war under
the provisions of :he Hague Treaty.
The Diplomatic Bill as passed carries
81, 743 SOS.
The House passed the Senate bill au-
thorizing the Southeastern railroad TO
construct bridge across the Lumber
river, in Roheson county. \. c.
Although general debate on the Diplo-
matte BiIl closed yesterday by unanimous
consent Mr.. Shafroth (Colo) was allow
ed fortyhye minutes TO complete last
week. speech in favor of mediation by
the United States in the South African
war. Under The Hague Treaty. he con
.riEued England could not consider
IN offer Qf mediation an unfriendly act
He insisted that the South African Re
public was an independent government
Notwithstanding Great Brita ms claim of
suzerainty.
While the British were demanding re-
lief in the South African Republic, he
said. three thousand Dutch residents of
British Guiana. born upon British soil.
who are not allowed to hold office in the
legislative. executive or judicial branches
Of the Colonial Government, We're pc
titioning for relief. Their cases were
almost analogous to those of the Out
anders in the Transvaal, yet Great Brit
ain 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 coed offices
under section ) of the Hague Treaty.
Mr. Grosyenor, in replying briefly, said
he symp&thized with any people strug-
Cling for liberty Proceeding he set the
House in roar by running over the his
tory of Europe. pointing out here and
rhere the wrongs suffered by Hungarians,
Finlanders, Poles etc. all of which
we're represented in his district, yet the
United States had not felt called upon
to interfere He concluded with the
suggestion that Il commission OF twenty
five members at salaries of $50, 600 each
should be appointed to roam over the
Galin TO discover WneFc wrongs nave
been committed and to report to the
House, i'll order that the United States
might 30 TO war every time the kin OF
any Of our constituents were oppressed.
Mr. William Alden Smith (Mich.) sug-
rested that while he was not authorized
to speak for the Administration, he knew
chat if our Government was requested
to act by either party to the conflict its
kindly offices would be willingly placed
at their disposal.
'Do you know that such an offer has
been made persisted Mr.. Shafroth.
Such information would be conveyed
through our diplomatic channels ID
London and Pretoria" responded Mr..
smith But Of the entire willingness OF
this Government to act if properly re
qaested by the parties engaged in the
conflict there can be no question
The bill was then read for amendment
under the FIVE minute rule.
Mr.. Terry (Ark) said the Republican
party had changed very greatly since
1850 when il stood for the liberation OF
the slaves. Now under its auspices
slavery was recognized and tolerated il
the Philippines.
The bin was then passed and the
House adjourned.