The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1902-04-26
HELD
UNLAWFULLY
DETENTION OF ALBERT CART
WRIGHT DEBATED IN HOUSE
OF COMMONS.
LIBERTY OF PRESS IN DANGER
EVEN CONSERVATIVE MEMBERS
REFUSE TO SUSTAIN GOVT.
Implied Censure of Course of Lords
Kitchener and Milner Mar
rOwly Averted.

LONDON, April 24.-The forcible de-
tention in South Africa of Albert Cart
wright who, while editor of the South
African News, charged Lord Kitchen
err prior to the engagement with Gen
eral De Wet, with ordering his officers
to shoot all prisoners, formed the sub
ject of a heated debate in the house of
commons this e1Sening.
John Morley, Liberal, moved the ad-
journment of the house. The success
of such a proposition, he said, would
amount to vote of censure of the gov
eminent in general, and on Lord Kltch-
ener and Lord Miner in particular.
Mr.. Morley pointed out that Mr.. Cart
wright, who had served a years i'm
prisonment for libel, now desired to
come to England, and that his deten-
ton was illegal, unconstitutional and
tyrannical. He added that the explain
alton of Lord Stanley, the financial
secretary of the war office, who served
in the South African war as chief press
censor, that the government did not
think it desirable to increase the num-
Der of anti-Brtish propagandlsts in
this country, was the most outrageous
heard in the house since the days of
Simon De Montfort.
The secretary of state for war, Mr..
Brodrick, in the course Of a reply,
raised storm by saying that, although
Mr.. Cartwright had served his legal
sentence, the question of his liberation
was still sub-judice. This brought
forth vehement protest from Sir Will
liam Vernon Harcourt, Liberal, who
declared that such a proposition was
scandalous, and contrary to the ele-
mentary principles of freedom.
Winston Spencer Churchill, Conser-
vative, also delivered a few caustic
sentences, saying he hoped the house
would force the government to with
draw within the limits Of the law and
observe the constitution. Mr.. Balfour,
the government leader, came to the
support of the sorely harrassed war
secretary, and contended that the gov
eminent was justified in OBTAINING
even a British subject if it thought his
writings were calculated to injure the
interests of South Africa. Those vot-
ing for the adjournment would be con-
demning Lord Kitchener and Lord Mil
ner, in whose keeping, at this moment,
rested their hopes of peace.
James Bryce, Liberal, and Sir Robert
Reid Liberal, twitted the ministers
for again interposing Lord Kitchener
as a. buffer between the government
and the house. They both scathingly
denounced the present action Of the
government as gross abuse of power.
The spirit of revolt spread to the
government benches. Ian Malcolm,
Conservative, who is said to have been
heretofore an answering supporter of
the government, warmly repudiated
Mr.. Balfour's argument that those
voting for the adjournment would be
showing themselves careless of British
honor.
After such an incident, he no longer
felt sure the members Of the govern
ment could say they had clean hands
in this regard. War or peace would
not be facilitated by such violations of
the liberty of the press.
Other supporters of the government
followed in the same strain. Even 1vor
Churchill Guest, eldest son Of Lord
Wimberne, a Conservative and a cous-
the government to realize that its posi-
ton was untenable, and to make some
concessions.
The house then divided, and the mo-
ton for adjournment was defeated by
259 to 1872 votes.
The government leader, A. J. Bal
four, announced in the house of COM
mons that an autumn session Of the
house would be necessary to deal with
arrears of legislation.