Evening star., 1901-07-05

Official Announcement In ParIiament
Regarding BOer War.

A dispatch from London last night says:
In the house of commons tonight an acri-
montous discussion arose between the rad
icals and the government on the South
African war, Mr.. Loyd-GeOrge and others
violently denouncing the governments war
policy.
William Redmond nationalist, reminded
the government that the day was Indepen-
dence day beyond seas, and that British
statesmen were now glad to claim kinshp
with and sing hosannas to great, indepen-
dent America. The anniversary, he in
sisted, ought to be a lesson to them.
Mr.. Brodrick, the war secretary amid
continual disorder and interruption from
the Irish benches, reproached the pro-Boer
radicals with prolonging the war by en-
couraging the Beers to a vain resistance.
He announced that the government had
Just received news that Gen. Louis Botha
had permission in June to communicate
with Mr.. Kruger, the result of which was a
meeting, at which Gen De Wet, Gen.
Botha and others decided to continue the
war and to accept no terms short of inde-
pendence. Mr.. Brodrick added that the
governments resolution was still un-
shaken, and that great progress had been
made in the war during the last three
months.
Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman, who
supported the radical attack, declared that
the government should endeavor to cOncil-
tate brave opponents.
Arthur ]. BalfOur, government leader,
protested vigorously against the prof. Boer
attitude of the opposition, declaring that
1t prolonged the war and inflicted untold
suffering upon an innocent population. He
taunted Sir Henry Campbell-B Zimmerman
with having long sat upon the fence but
finally having made up his mind and de-
scended upon the pro-Boer side.
Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman leaped
up and angrily exclaimed that Mr.. Balfour
might call him what he liked, but he had
no right to use term intended to be Of
fensiye
Mr.. Balfour thereupon said he would
willingly withdraw the term "pro-Boer'' If
1t was offensive. Continuing his speech, he
declared that 1t was not Europe or the
United States that encouraged the Beers
to resist, but that the chief encouragement
was contributed by the speeches of the
| members of the opposition in the house Of
commons. The debate was adjourned
The debate arose on the second reading
of the war loan bill authorizing the chan
| cellor of the exchequer to provide go, ,0O0 =
600 by creating cOnsOls during the current
year. The reading was carried by 267 to 81.
The opposition attacked the government
on the ground of the difficulty of recover
ing any considerable portion of the cost of
the war from the annexed colonies.
| The dispatch read by Mr.. BrOdrick was
| a proclamation issued by Messrs. Schalk-
| Berger and Stein detailing the result of
Gen. BothaS communications with Mr..
| Kruger being to the effect that Mr. Kru-
1
| had great hopes Of a satisfactory issue of
| the war
The dispatch read by Mr. Brodrick was
| the first really definite announcement the
| government has made that the peace nego-
tiations have failed 1t has revived keen
interest in the war. Dispatches from the
front say the Beers still have 1900 men
| in the field, and declare that unless the
| war can be finished during the next two
| months the prospect is that 1t will con-
| tinue for another year.
The morning papers again urge the gov
| ernment to make vigorous efforts and to
| make no further attempts at negotiation
The so-called "Asquth revolt In the lib
| eral party has already collapsed. Sir Henry
| Campbell -Bannerman has withdrawn his
accusation of jealousy, and the followers
| of Mr.. Asquith have decided to attend the
| meeting Of the liberal party next Tuesday,
| and to invite confidence in Sir Henry
| Campbell-Bannerman. This Is probably
the outcome Of the failure to draw Lord
! ROsebery into taking sides In the quarrel
| The liberal party as a whole is now more
| than ever committed to a pro-Boer policy.