New-York tribune., 1900-03-16
QUESTIONS IN PARLIAMENT.
MEMBERS CHEER THE REPLY TO THE
AMERICAN OFFER OF GOOD OFFICES"

MEMBERS CHEER The REPLY ~ IhE
AMERICAN OFFER OF GOOD OFFICES"
London, March 15.-In the House of Commons
to-day, replying to William Redmond, Irish
Nationalist. who asked whether the Govern
ment OF the United States had offered its good
offices to Her Majesty's Government with the
view of bringing about peace in South Africa,
the Government leader. A. J. Balfour. read the
telegram from Mr.. Hay communicated to Lord
Salisbury on March 13 by the United States
Charge d'Afaires. The reading of this dispatch
was greeted with cheers from the Irish mem
bers. Continuing, Mr.. Balfour said:
Lord Salisbury requested MI White to
vey the sincere acknowledgment of Her Maj
esty's Government to the Government of the
United States of the friendly tone of their COM
muncation, and to say that Her Majestys Gov
ernment does not propose to accept the inter
vention Of any Power in the settlement Of South
African affairs
Loud and prolonged cheers followed this state
ment
At the conclusion of Mr. Balfour's reply Mr..
Redmond asked whether intervention was not
allowed in the case Of Venezuela
Mr.. Balfour replying to Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman, the Opposition leader who asked
whether in view of the numerous recent dis
turbances connected with peaceable meetings
called to discuss South African affairs or di-
rected against the persons and property of in
dividuals because of their opinions. the
Government would cause inquiry to how
far and by whom the disturbances were organ
lied, and what steps would be taken to prevent
their recurrence, said that every case of dis
turbance had been examined and that the
demonstrations appeared to be spontaneous. He
added that the Government felt the responsible
ity rested with those who called the meetings
in the heated state of public feeling. They
should be careful lest they asked moro than
human nature could give.
The reply was regarded as unsatisfactory and
Sir Robert T. Reid Liberal moved an adjourn
ment with the view of raising a discussion of
the question.
Sir William Vernon Harcourt. Liberal sup
ported the motion to adjourn He declared Mr.
Balfour's answer discouraged the right of pub
lie meeting
Mr. Balfour, replying, reiterated that pro-
Beers We're not justified in forcing their ideas,
though possibly all right but which not
agreeable to the majority of the nation. He de-
MED that he had said anything inconsistent with
the principles of free speech and asserted that
the Government would do its best to see that
the right of free speech in every legitimate form
safeguarded in every part of Her Majesty
dominions.
Lord Fitzmaurice, Liberal, Member of Parla-
ment for the Northern Division of Wiltshire
suggested that the Government could withhold
the police grants in the districts where the police
did not do their duty, and George BARLEY, Con-
servative Member for NORTH Islington observed
that those who held the meetings in question
were "a parcel of semi-trators and handful of
agitating scOundrels' He added that he was
delighted at this show of feeling in the country,
referring to the attempts TO break up these
meetings.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman said he
thought. the Government should have used all
its influence in favor OF free speech. and ex-
factory answer was given
After lively debate the motion was rejected
by a vote of 229 to 100.
The whole Opposition and all the Irish mem
bers stood UP in support of Sir Robert Reds
motion. The mover said he regretted the neces-
sity Of the motion, and expected Mr. Balfour
would show the Governments unqualified dis
approval of the disgraceful scenes In place of
which. the speaker asserted. he had thought
proper to lecture those who had not asked for
his advice.
The war loan in the House of Commons to-
day passed its third reading by a vote of 172
to %.
The Executive Committee of those who have
organized themselves into body in favor of
stopping the war publishes resolution to the
effect that the reply of the Premier to the ap-
peal OF Presidents Kruger and Steyn tears off
the mask and reveals the truth so long denied.
that the war Is being waged for the destruction
of the independence of the Dutch common
weaths, and declares time will when
all who are opposed to the war of extermina-
ton" will unite In n solemn protest