New-York tribune., 1900-02-07
DETAILS OF THE DEBATE
MR.. BALFoUR'S ANSWER TO THE oP-
POSITION.

London. Feb THE House of Commons re-
jected Lord Edmund Fitzmaurice's amendment
to the Address in reply to the Speech from the
Throne by vote of 352 against the amendment
to 139 in its favor. The principal speakers for
and against the amendment were Sir Henry
Campbell-Bannerman, the Liberal leader and
A ]. Balfour, First Lord Of the Treasury and
Government leader in the House.
Sir Henry, opening his speech. justified the
opportuneness Of the amendment because II was
the duty of the Opposition TO record It's judg-
ment He said the Government could hardly
pose as conquerors upon whose brows laurel
wreaths should be placed. for their diplomacy
had failed and their military operations had
been unsuccessful These facts, Sir Henry de-
cared invited criticism. At the same time he
would deprecate exaggeration and would deny
the existence of national humiliation and dis
comfiture.
He also denied that the Opposition was actu-
ated by desire TO Chamber into power or to
seek party advantage. The composed and
sensible tone OF the speech of the Colonial Sec
retary'' he had been glad TO hear. If the Gov
ernment were aware Of the disparity between
the defensive forces Of the South African Col
onies and the military strength Of the Beers
when the negotiations entered upon no
condemnation, in his judgment could be too
severe. Sir Henry ridiculed Lord Salisbury's
statement that the Secret Service fund was too
small and pointed out that the whole sum had
not been expended.
He thought the Government should have dis
avowed the Jameson raid and should have given
guarantees for the future, as Great Britain
would then have been in position TO demand
that the Beers cease arrning
QUESTION OF THE OPPOSITION.
Sir Henry demanded TO know upon what evil
asserted. declaring that unless the charge were
well founded it was q most wanton insult TO
Her Majestys loyal Dutch subjects at the Cape.
The war must be prosecuted with vigor. he
maintained. but provided that British territories
were free and Great Britain's military superior
ity indicated. what mattered it as TO the
hour and place of arriving at settlement?
loud Ministerial protests) What really did
matter was. he affirmed. that the settlement
should be made in the right spirit
While Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman was
speaking the news Of the success of the Union
candidate in the York City election, with
expectedly large majority, arrived and caused
great scene Of enthusiasm.
Mr.. Balfour, who rising was loudly cheered.
said:
! What is the object of the amendment? What
is it likely 10 attain? One might have expected
that the war Office would be attacked but that
Is not the case. l driven to the conclusion
that the amendment is attack upon the Co
lcnial Secretary. (Heari hear0 Well. the Co
lonia1 Secretary may well ignore these persist
ent attacks. The right honorable gentleman
may remember that It has been during his term
or offlce as Colonial Secretary that the British
Empire. as whole. has first shown its full
consciousness Of what IT is and OF what its desti-
nies are. cloud cheers.
Others have certainly contributed 10 this re-
suit but it is in no small degree owing TO the
great administrative abilities of the right hon
orable gentleman, the Colonial Secretary, that
the dramatic moment has occurred, for the first
time IN our history when every British colony
{ has joined the mother country TO carry out
great Imperial work. and. when all these petty
and contemplate charges are buried In the OBJ
Hvion they well deserve, the name of the
I right honorable gentleman viii be forever asso-
ciated with that great movement in our history.
Mr.. BALFoUR's ATTACK.
Mr. BaIfour went on TO accuse the Opposition
/ Of wishing to oust the Government. q sugges-
tion that was received with considerable laugh
ter. He commented upon the diversity of views
in the Opposition ranks, and asked
Is the Opposition wise or patriotic2 What
the country has TO fear is foreign nations. and
the Transvaal politicians may think they can
find their opportunity in dissensions. The
House Of Commons cannot do much 10 help
our arms, but this 1t dot show that
behind our soldiers in the field there is a united
country loud cheers)
equanimity upon the fact that the vote they
are about to give upon the amendment may
! lenRInGn
/ of losses and probably. add one fraction 10 the
/ chances Of European complications?
Mr. BaIfour in closing appealed 70 the mem
| bers of the House irrespective Of party, TO rise
! TO -the height reached by those we represent"
/ He declared that if they did this then in q
/ short time the Empire would issue from the
1 struggle stronger. not only in the conscious
4 ness OF its strength. but in the eyes of the
civilized world" He resumed his seat amid
prolonged cheering.
When the division bell rang the Irish mem
bers rose in a body and left the House without
/ voting Several Liberals also refused 10 vote.
Some others voted with the Government as
did also Sir Edward Clarke. member for Plyr-
oath Mr. Asquith voted With Sir Henry Camp
el-Bannernan for the amendment.
THE SPEECH OF MI AsQUITH
n the debate on the amendment to the ad-
dress which took place before the leaders
speeches. II. H. Asquith, Liberal. the Home
SECRETARY in the Rosebery Ministry. who from
the tenor OF his remarks might have held a
brief for the Government. maintained that the
war was neither intended nor desired By the
Government. which, naturally. explained the
| cnuntrvss ,,,,rans redress. Mr. Asquith added