The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-19
MAJORITY CUT
GOVERNMENT NOT WELL SUPPORTED
IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
First Division I'm the First ParIia-
Detection OF Eighty-Five Votes.
AN INTERESTING SESSION
WINSTON SPENCER CHURCHILL's
MAIDEN SPEECH AS AN NJ. r.,
And n Characteristic Reply by Mr..
Chamberlain to Pro-Boer At
tacks on the Government.
CHEERS FROM CONSERVATIVES
As THE SECRETARY DEFENDED THE
POLICY OF THE MINISTRY.
Also When He Announced that No
Shred of Independence Would
Ever BE Conceded the Beers.
And a Characteristic Reply by Mr..
Chamberlain to PrO-Boer At
tacks on the Government.
CHEERS FROM CONSERVATIVES
As THE SECRETARY DEFENDED THE
POLICY OF THE MINISTRY.
Also When He Announced that No
Shred of independence Would
Ever BE Conceded the Beers.

LONDON, Feb. 1s.-The first division in
the first Parliament of King Edward VII,
which took place yesterday. resulted in
cutting down to forty-five the govern
ments normal majority of 130. The inter-
est caused by this unexpected event was
heightened by Mr.. Winston Spencer
Churchilrs first speech at Westminster and
by Mr.. Chamberlain's heated defense of
his own policy.
The refusal of Lord Cranborne, the under
secretary of state for foreign affairs, to
answer questions concerning which notice
had not previously been given, gave Mr.
John Dillon. Irish Nationalist, the chance
to move an adjournment of the house in
order to debate the subject. Mr.. Dillon de-
clared that the under secretary of the For
eign Office had been muzzled and that his
refusal was breach of privilege. The vote
on Mr.. Dillon's motion stood: 204 for ac-
journment, 249 against.
Mr.. Churchilrs speech came in reply to
Mr.. David Lloyd-George's criticism of the
conduct of the South African war, in the
course of which he had denounced the
burning of farms and the keeping of Boer
women and children i'm British laagers on
reduced provisions. These charges created
a general uproar and provoked an angry
demand from Mr. Broderick, secretary of
state for war, that Mr.. Lloyd-George
should offer evidence to substantiate his
assertions. Mr.. Churchill caught the eye
OF the speaker and caustically rebuked Mr..
Lloyd-George. He INDUCED in epigrams,
such as mo other nation in the world ever
received so much verbal sympathy and so
little practical support as the Boers."
Tben he proceeded, half humorously. and
half seriously, to belittle the enorts of the
pro-Boer members of the house in behalf
of their friends. He maintained that the
war in South Africa had been carried on
With unusual humanity and he closed with
the declaration of his belief that at no dis
tant date there would be an "anghcized,
loyal peaceful and prosperous Transvaal.
Sir Robert Reid. Radical, member for
Dumfriesburghs, argued that all this could
be accomplished without unnecessary
severity and without Withholding terms.
NO INDEPENDENCE.
Mr.. Chamberlain, springing to his feet
stigmatized the speech of Sir Robert Reid
as devoted to abuse of British officers and
the policy of ministers, and to praise of
the enemies of Great Britain" He de-
MED that peace with honor was at any
time possible before or after the fall of
Pretoria. 1.-The policy of her Majesty's
government" he declared, "has not varied.
Before the invasion of Natal we would
have accepted the most moderate conces-
sions, but from the moment the invasion
occurred and the Beers had fired the first
shot the government determined that not
one shred of the independence which the
Beers had abused should ever again be
conceded to them.'
The Conservatives, cheering furiously
rose to their feet from the government
benches at this assertion. and made the
chamber ring again and again. 1.-THE
government" continued Mr.. Chamberlain
challenged the opposition al the general
election on the issue of annexation. We
challenge you again. IRenewed cheering
Tonight six pro-Boers have spoken and
not single Liberal imperialist'
Sir Robert Reid objected to the term
'pro-Boer,' but Mr.. Chamberlain stuck to
his guns. II maintain he said, that
there is no other name for the men who
believe every scandalous libel on Brit
ish officers and soldiers
Don't insult u.s." shouted Sir Robert
Reid.
Continuing Mr.. Chamberlain said he be-
lieved that with the development of South
Africa, persons of British origin would be
largely in excess of the rest of the popu-
lation.
Before we grant free government to the
Boers," exclaimed the colonial secretary
''the country must be restored to some
thing like its normal condition. l believe
the Beers know we'll the terms offered
them. The time is perhaps not opportune
for taking further steps 10 make these
terms known, but have been in commun-
ication with Sir Alfred Miner with view
OF taking advantage OF any opportunity
that might present itself. The struggle
had to come. 1t originated in the determi-
nation of the Beers TO secure the ascend
ancy I'm South Africa. 1 believe that, in
spite of the sacrifices made, this coun-
try is of the same mind as when il en-
tered upon the struggle and will spare no
effort 10 bring it 10 a close and will sup
port no party which seeks 10 stultify the
object in view
Amid ringing cheers Mr.. Chamberlain.
''the head and shoulders of the war" as
Mr.. Dillon describes him. resumed his seat.
and the House adjourned