New-York tribune., 1900-01-31
The address in reply TO the Speech from th'
Throne was then adopted
THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.


THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
When proceedings began again in the House
OF Commons A. j. Balfour the First Lord OF the
treasury and Government leader; Sir Henry
Campbell -Bannerman. the Liberal leader, and
others were loudly cheered by their respective
followers. Mr.. Chamberains entry was not
cheered
MT James Lowther made his annual motion
relative to the interference OF peers at elections
IL was rejected by vote of 337 to 1O1.
The Speaker then read the Queens Speech.
Captain Ernest G. Pretyman. Conservative.
member for the Woodbridge Division of Suffolk,
moved the address in reply to the Speech. He
expressed the deepest sympathy, which, he said
was shared by both sides of the House, with
the sufferers from the war and the suffer
ings in Natal. He referred to the admiration
Tor the gallantry of the troops which was felt
oy all parties. and remarked that additional
common ground for pride was the gallantry
ana national spirit shown by both Great Britain
ana ner colonies. He also expressed the hope
that after the war all race antagonism in South
Africa would be obliterated. He added that an
inquiry was necessary as to how the require
ments OF the war had been so underestmated,
and then appealed for the union of all parties
IN support Of the Government in it's efforts salts
factoriy to conclude just war
Herbert P. Pike Pease, Liberal Unionist, mem
Der Tor Darlington, seconded the address in re-
ply TO the Speech from the Throne.
Ihe Liberal leader in the House of Commons.
Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman then rose to
reply amid cheers from the Opposition benches.
LIBERAL LEADERS COMMENT
Sir Henry. commenting on the Queens Speech.
said he had seldom known so little to be said in
such large number of words AS however, the
war advanced it became more difficult and more
critical and he was not surprised that the
Government had not proposed a formidable
programme of legislation as affairs in South
AFRICA, political and military, would undoubtedly
engage the present Parliament to a great ex-
tent. The war was uppermost in all minds when
the members separated in October and it was
oelleVed there were troops enough in South Az
rlca 10 clear rapidly the Queens dominions but
these expectations had been sobered Week after
week had seen checks, disappointments and de-
plorable loss of life. In every instance the ad-
vance Of the British troops had been stayed by
large bodies Of the enemy. The country how
ever had again and again gone through greater
perlls with courage and composure, and would
not now depart from it's high traditions The
courage and forttude of British soldiers were
never more conspicuous, and they must asso-
clate with this the sons of the colonies, who had
SHOWN extraordinary aptitude in this kind of
warfare. He appreciated the gallantry and de-
votion which led their countrymen to volunteer
but he wished to know the reasons which made
necessary this unusual method of reinforcing the
army. He and his friends had resolved to sup
port vigorous prosecution of the war, that the
integrity of the Queens dominions be speedily
v1ndicated, and he imagined there would be no
difficulty in obtaining the additional supplies
necessary. Here my agreement with the Gov
eminent ceases said the Liberal leader.
THE GOVERNMENT ATTACKED.
Sir Henry then proceeded with a bitter con-
demnation of the administration and the tone
ana temper in which 1t had approached the
"hole south African problem. saying that the
harroWness OF the Governments provision for
lllltary requirements made hostilities necessary
and asserting that their policy made war nrob
aple He believed this feeling was largely
shared nS the House. and was glad of the oppor-
tunlty promised to express his opinion The
speaker repudiated the idea that tbav sbo,,1d
await the end Of the war before discussing tho
matter This was the very time he declarad Co.
eHecuVe criticism, and those wishing 70 dis
claim responsibility should do so now He
added: H0"' ne
Ine ministers tells us that this war was IN
GTItdhSn 10 secure equal rights for white -
nope they will transfer this laudabIa 5otf nn.
10 this country. Many instances noiob+
phed where too little consideration 49, - olP
shown under Mr. Cham berIain,s az IlSes peeh
NJ! ~ tne Ioyal Dutch of Cape Colony The Co.,
ministers who are much Crown Ministers U@ps pc
noiNitI treated them in a manner I'M
caICuIated TO allay doubts and fears III
Inc recess brought many Speeches On +bts .L
IIct' anu asIonlShment succeeds astonishrnan+ a.
tnelr statements They now decIar "a +ba'+ a. &C a.
nniaion Mntch @ Is OBVIOUSLY post facto
OPINION; and If not the Ministers are honeIaSSiI
condemned and ought to be hurled from noyJaI
BALFoUR DEFENDS GOVERNMENT
Arthur j. Balfour, after a vain attan,r+ e.
draw Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman into a.
aoHlsslon that he did not advocate pushing the
war lhlo 6oer territory, reproached him with
waiting until the country had become involved
III lhlltary dlfnculties to bring vote OF censure
OF the Colonial Secretary which might ba,,A
Oeeh Drought Mr.. Balfour declared, at any time
since 1895. In general defence of the Colonial
Secretary and the Governments policy Mr. BAL
four said that at one time the Government he
Heved the war would be avoided but had subse-
quently become convinced that the Boer Govern
ment never from the first intended to give those
franchise concessions, the Withholding of which
expressed the opinion that the forces sent out
were inadequate. On the contrary. General ro,,1
ler held the common military opinion that the
forces sent were sufficient If the C,ovarnr,a-+
had asked Parliament last August, he continued
to authorize the dispatch of a large army II
would have been not only extremely bad dinIo
macy but it would probably have been innossi-
BILE to persuade Parliament of it's necessitv
Mr. Balfour repeated his assertion made ont
side of the House of Commons that the Govern
ment had not directly indirectly interferad
with the discretion Of the generals in the field
Replying to the direct question put by Sir Henry
Did General Butler go to Natal purely in the
exercise of his military discretion?" Mr. RaIfour