The Irish standard., 1901-03-23
Sweeping Indictment by the Irish Patriot Of British
Outrages Women and Children.
Plan Of Campaign Pursued by Kitchener is the Policy
of Scian and Greek Brigands
Refers the Brutal Comments of the English Papers
On Atrocities in South Africa.

and foul charge made by the member
for Carnarvon without Il shred Of evi-
dence; and If it had not been for the
question put today this debate would
close leaving the House under the i'm
preston that there was no foundation
for it. 1t is true charge (cheers).
The right honorable gentleman was
obliged to get UP ut the table and ad-
nit that it was true (renewed cheers).
1t is the policy of Scilian and Greek
brgands, who threatened to cut Off the
ears and noses of their prisoners in
their desire to have their relatives
come to their rescue. Yes, | say that
l see no difference in principle, and no
difference in degree. Would it be
good to send news to the burghers that
the noses and ears of their people
would be cut Off unless they come in
and surrender? l say that l see no
difference except in degree between
doing that and letting them know that
they would be starved (chccrs), and
yet the press OF this country says that
no act of cruelty would be wrong il it
tended to put an end to the war. 1t
has been admitted by the honorable
gentlemen opposite, in the course of
what took place here last night, that
Il policy of devastation, Of carrying
fire and sword through these countries,
was justitablc to make those countries
unnhabitablc. | denouncc that rs an
outrage Oh the usages OF war as recog-
nizcd today by every civilized country
in the world ministerial laughter).
Honorable members opposite laugh, al
though we have the opinion of Europe
and America upon our side, and it Is
admitted that this policy OF starving
women and children is adopted and ap-
proved by the secretary of war in the
hope that it will bring the war to an
end. Let me describe this policy in the
words Of an English newspaper, which
puts 1t more fnvorably than l can ur-
drrtalie to do it, Now am entitled to
words Of an organ which, regret to
say, is representative Of II large mass
OF public opinion in this country. 1t
says: 'When commenting some little
time ago Oh the turn Of the war, we
pointed out that 1t would be more busi-
ness-like OH our part to adopt tho
policy of General Weyler in Cuba.
Lord Roberts has come round to our
view" That is exactly what said.
He is following in the steps of Cen
eral Wcyler, and 1t Is only two years
ago that this House and the civilized
world was ringing with denunciations
Of that generals cruelty in Cuba; and
there is this difference, that he was
dealing with rebellion, and fighting
against rebels who had long been In
arms, whilst you are dealing with two
independent states, who had up to this
been and continued observing with
scrupulous fidelity the usages of war
(checrs). In fact, you have improved
upon his example. Here Is another
example: "In such cases the women
and children are frequently employed
; to carry messages, and of course they
must be included in the military
measures, and transported or despatch
cd" These are significant Words
They are found in the st. James Ga
zcttc, which is accepted by many men
as reputable newspaper. Now that
Is the policy that has been advocated.
1t Is policy which the government In
this House were ashamed to admit.
1t is the policy with regard to which,
in December last, the secretary for the
colonies cquivocated and left us under
the impression that no such policy was
In force, and which until yesterday, in
fact until tonight, was denied. 1t Is q
policy that many journalists in this
country have advocated, and which has
been practiccd in South Africa for
nearly six months (chcers). Up to this,
Mr. Speaker, 1 have based my whole
case upon the testimony Of English
men and English newspapers; but I
maintain that although you have the
control of the cable, and although you
have the hand Of your military CEN
sors upon every channel, of commune
cation, that the men who are fighting
you are honorable and civilized men,
and that they too have a right to
make their voices heard before civilized
mankind. Now here is the last solemn
statement made by De Wet and Steyn.
(Ministerial laughter) l know honor
able members will laugh at their
names; but venture to say that their
names and those Of Delarey and Louis
Botha will be honored long after the