The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-02-06

London, Feb 6.-The House of Com
mons was the scene of a stirring de-
bate yesterday on matters pertaining
10 the South African war. The chief
interest centred in the remarks OF Jo-
seph Chamberlain. The House was
packed and several members of the
United States Embassy were present.
The colonial secretary spoke for 40
minutes, dwelling on the broad issues
and not dealing so much with details.
He was enthusiastically cheered by the
ministeriaIists and occasionally inter-
rupted by the Irish members. MI
Chamberlain paid glowing tllpute 10
the colonies and the promise OF the iu-
ture federation OF the empire, eNohi's
immense enthusiasm.
SITUATION SERIOUS.
Mr.. Chamberlain admitted that
critical state Of the war had Deeh
reached, and that the situation was
undoubtedly serious, though he ana NOT
believe the country was IN DANGER re
refused To discuss the south AlIlcdh
committees and briefly summarized tne
negotiations with the Transvaai' point
ing out that the issues between the
Beers and the British were resi- ana
great and inherent In the differences
between the Boer and British civih-
cations.
III the preparations for war were in
sufficient. IL was wholly due 70 the tact
that the government had determined TO
do everything 10 secure peace ana 10
do nothing 10 endanger IL. he declared.
IT Is A JUST WAR.
Mr. Chamberlain further declared
that the war was just, necessary ana
righteous He regretted tfS proposed
amendment 10 the address, because he
said il would throw debate upon the
unitedness OF the kingdom. IL would
be premature TO talk of terms OF set
Element.
But" Mr.. Chamberlain asserted,
"there will be no second Ma1uba.
Never again shall the Beers erect In the
heart of South Africa a citadel whence
10 proceed to disaffection and race anil
mostly Never again shall they be able
10 endanger the paramountcy OF Great
Britain. Never again shall they be
able TO treat an Englishman as though
he belonged TO an inferior race.
Mr.. Chamberlain asked the opposi-
tion whether they believed in the pro-
position that the war was necessary,
and said the opposition proposed TO
vote for the war "as unjust ana un-
necessary" and then vote for Its Wig
nrous prosecution. The war, the Sec
retary claimed. could not be avoided
except by the absolute surrender on the
mart of Great Britain of all to which
she attached importance. Believing
the war inevitable. how could they
vote for an amendment that said the
war was unavoidable. policy OF thaf
sort was said 10 unite the party. bu'
in the eyes of Europe II threw doubts
upon the union of the united Kingdom
SOME 100000 MEN.
"We have suffered checks, said Mr.
Chamberlain, "and have made mis-
takes / am not anxious to dispute al
10 the blame. Let the government beal
the brunt until the time comes when
under happier auspices, we can see nov
far the blame is to ne apportioned De
tween the system and those admins
tering IL. In the meantime blame us
"What is now urgent is To redres
those checks and to repair mistakes
You saw we have sent too few troops
but we are pouring them into Soutl
Africa In a few weeks we shall haV
2Oo. 900 men there. We will have as man
mounted men as there are mounted Bo
ers. Our colonies are multiplying thei
offers: every offer is gratefully accepte
and Lord Roberts has selected fror
among the colonials his guard OF honor
Meanwhile the spirit of the natio
IS unbroken. There Is no sacrifice whic
we are unwilling To make. There is n
sacrifice we are unwilling to ask OF tn
colonies, II we think " necessary I
success. ! must go further than this