Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-01-31
PARLIAMENT OF
GREAT BRITAIN
Continued From Page 1.
THE BuBoNIc PLAGUE.

-.
"/regret to add that the epidemic OF
plague continues and that although it's
severity has not increased since last
year, there is at present no prospect of
its diminution.
l"Gentlemen OF the House of Commons:
1.-The estimates for the public service
of the year will be laid before you.
The provision for military expenditure
must be largely increased on account
of the charge for military operations In
South Africa. The experience OF n
great war must necessarily afford les
sons of the greatest Importance to the
military administrations Of the coun-
try. You will not, am convinced,
shrink from any outlay that may be
required to place our defensive pre-
jparations on level with the RESPONSE
bilties which the possession of so great
an empire has laid upon us. At a time
when several other nations are perfect
| ing their naval propositions at the cost
Of increasing efforts and sacrifices, the
solicitude. with which you have pro-
vided for the efficiency of our navy and
our coast defenses will assuredly not be
relaxed"
The rest OF the speech, recognizing
that the time is not propitious for do
nestle reforms involving large expendl-
|
agricultural. educational. company,
railroad and accident laws, and con-
cludes:
| ut appears that service in South
Africa may have the effect of disfran-
chising those taking part I'm it, and you
will be asked to sanction measure by
which this injustice will be prevented.
II commend your deliberations at
| this anxious time to the blessing and
guidance of Almighty Cod"
ADDRESS IN REPLY.
The Duke of Somerset moved the ad-
dress in reply. He said he looked for
ward confidently to a successful termi-
nation of the war He urged the ne
cessity for reform in the military adj
ministration, and said that, hitherto
the army seemed to have existed for
the benefit of the War Office, and that
in future. the War Office must exist for
the benefit of the army.
PRAISE FOR THE COLONIES.
The Duke of Somerset then eulogized
the loyalty of the Colonies, especially
Canada, and strongly deprecated the
adverse criticism of General Butler, his
remarks In this connection being cheer
ed. He said he had every confidence
In General Butler and in Lord Roberts.
The Earl Of Shaftesbury, Conserva-
tive, emphasized the debt of gratitude
which Great Britain owed to her COL
onies, and expressed satisfaction at the
settlement of the Samoan question.
The Liberal lender in the House of
Lords, the Earl of Kimberley. followed.
His Lordship congratulated Lord Sails
bury on the conclusion of the agree
ment with Germany but strongly dis.
approved of the tone of Mr.. Chamber
lain's speeches. He said
I'VE might meet q period of disaster
and although relations with the other
| powers are friendly. it would be we'll
| TO consider the possibilities of the fin
ture. and for the Government to he pre
pared for all eventualities and all dan
gers and be ready with the means to
surmount them. The Government does
not seem to have been aware OF the
scale of PROPOSITIONS OF the South Az
rican Republics"
| A CRISIS.
Later the Premier admitted the de-
ficiencies OF the existing system, re-
marking that the Treasury had ac-
| CURED a power which was not to the
public benefit. He had not thought of
looking into past history or examining
the amount of blame to be attached TO
this or that Minister.
''it is he said. quite the right way
of dealing with the present crisis We
must join together and exercise all our