The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-03
VIII BE SummariIy Court-MartiaIed IL
and Executed, the Colonial
Secretary Asserts.
REPRISALS MAY BE RESULT
WAR IN SOUTH AFRICA DEVELOPING
INTO BRIGANDAGE.
Stories of Atrocities Denied by Mr..
Kruger, Who Calls Attention 10
Concentration Camp Horrors.

LONDON, Aug "A discussion arose In
the House of Commons tonight over the
Colonial Office appropriation, and 1t gave
the opponents of the government ample op-
portunity TO bait Mr.. Chamberlain whiie
making a motion pro forma to reduce py
a1OO the vote out OF which the colonial
secretary's salary will be paid.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, the Lib
eral leader. said that in view OF the pa
thence with which the nation had for twen-
ty-one months endured Mr.. Chamberlain S
policy in South Africa. he thought 1t op-
perfume to secure a statement from the
colonial secretary as 10 the war situation.
He went on TO point out that Cape Colony
was now invaded and overrun with Beers;
and he asked what prospect there was OF
repelling the invasers. what the condition
of Cape Colony would be after the war;
what was the prospect Of famine as result
Of the governments policy OF devasta-
ton" and where was Cape Colony con-
stitution, which appeared 70 him to be un-
der lock and key since the declaration Oh
martial law.
Mr. Chamberlain replied that farm-ourn-
ing had been entirely abandoned ana re-
placed by the policy OF concentration
camps He contended that these were hu-
name and satisfactory institutions, as mac
been shown by the fact that thousands OF
Beers came !nto them voluntarily me
government has the best reasons to be-
lieve." continued the colonial secretary,
.that a vast majority of the Beers ac-
knowledge themselves beaten and would
gladly surrender and resume peaceful pur-
suits but for the comparative handful OF
irreconcilables. who are carrying on guer-
- irfd
into brigandage and absolute murder Lord
Kitchener is adequately dealing with the
problem BY establishing blockhouse cordons
within which the peacefully inclined can
safely settle and be protected
WILL BE SHOT IL CAUGHT.
Regarding the announcement by Lord
Kitchener that Commandant kritzlnger nad
declared his intention TO shoot all natives
in British employ, whether armed or un-
armed. Mr.. Chamberlain said the govern
ment had telegraphed Lord Kitchener to in
form the Boer leaders that such acts were
contrary TO civilized usage. and that all
guilty persons Of this class, if captured,
would be court-martialed and executed MI
Chamberlain's declaration was received
with loud cheering.
There seems to be an impression that
we have come to some sort of an agree
ment with the Beers" said Mr.. Chamber
lain in another portion of his speech, that
natives are not TO be employed in this war
but there is no such agreement Incur
sions into protected districts must be more
severely deal; with If there is TO be snip
ing of soldiers from behind hedges and
even of women"
rubbish" cried an Irish member.
Mr.. Chamberlain retorted that he had
met some ladies who had been assaulted in
this way.
IF things have changed from bad TO
worse in Cape Colony" he continued, lit
is because the Cape rebels have found re-
bellion cheap. interesting and even
amusing performance. Then there has been
mistaken lcniency, and this the policy
in the past. Botha. Dewet and Schalk
burger do not say the war caused by
the raid. They say they are fighting for
their independence. 1t is nonsense to speak
of Offering terms 10 men who say it must
be a fight TO the finish. This now is the
policy Of the government"
Sir Edward Gray. Liberal imperialist, ex-
pressed bitter disappointment at the tone
Of Mr.. Chamberlain's speech. although he
agreed with the general military policy of
the government lie said the colonial sec
retary had dealt carelessly with the sub
3ect of employing native troops and had
not distinguished between Africans and
highIy-trained Indian troops
John Redmond said Mr. Chamberlain's
speech was "a candid ii somewhat brutal
exposition Of the governments policy" and
he prayed 10 God that the resistance Of the
Beers might be strengthened.
The debate was continued for another
hour after Mr. Chamherlain's speech. and
the amendment 10 reduce the salary of the
colonial secretary was rejected. The House
then took up other subjects and was still
In session at o'clock this Saturday
morning.