New-York tribune., 1902-03-21
JOHN DILLON SUSPENDED.
UNPRECEDENTED SCENE IN THE HOUSE
OF COMMONS.
"A DAMNED LIAR AND REFUSED
TO WITHDRAW IT

London March 20.-One of the iveliest scenes
witnessed in the House of Commons since the
pa!micst days Of the Irish Nationalists ended
this afternoon with the suspension Of John Dill
Ion. During the discussion Of the South African
affairs the Liberal leader. Sir Henry Campbell
Bannerman. vigorously protested against the
governments conduct in uttering malignant
SANDERS" in calling the Liberals prob Beers"
These SANDERS Sir Henry said, used for
party purposes. The government. which had
been going from blunder TO blunder, claimed
immunity from criticism and If this continued
It would follow the precedent of the evil days
of the American War" This speaker proceeded
TO give a bitter. detailed criticism of the gov
ernments treatment of the Beers and it's mis-
calculation, declaring that the honor and inter-
ests of the country were just dear to the
Liberals as TO the most supercilious defender of
the governments policy, and the Liberals would
continue to protest in the name OF the righteous
and generous traditions Of the nation against
the methods of the government
The Colonial Secretary Mr.. Chamberlain, in
the course of an equally inCisive reply, said he
desired deliberately to accuse Sir Henry Camp
bel-Banncrman of losing no opportunity for
slandering his couutrymen the soldiers and the
government Consequently, the malignant
SANDERS had come from the Opposition side
The Speaker. Sir William Court Gully. here
intervened. and declared that the term malig-
nant slander'' was unparIamentary.
Both Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman and Mr..
Chamberlain thereupon withdrew the words
amid cheers.
MIR. Chamberlain, proceeding, referred to the
Beers who lighting the British side, when
John Dillon. Irish Nationalist, interjected, They
are traitors" on which Mr.. Chamberlain re-
torted.
The honorable gentleman is a good judge OK
traitors"
A scene of great confusion ensued. When or
der was partially restored Mr.. Dillon demanded
a ruling on Mr.. Chamberlain's words. The
Speaker said:
An honorable member spoke Of soldiers serv
ing under the British flag as traitors I depre-
Gated the interruption. and I deprecated the
retort Of the other member"
Mr.. Dillon then said:
I will tell the right honorable member that
he is a ID liar"
dead silence followed this remark Such
unparllamentary language seemed to stun the
House. The Speaker invited MI Dillon 10 with
draw the expression. but the latter said
I Will not withdraw"
Then I must name you" said the Speaker.
The government leader. A. J. Balfour. then
said
I beg TO move that Mr. Dillon be suspended
from service in the House
The motion was carried by 2iS to ~ votes.
Mr.. Dillon immedia tely by direction Of the
Speaker, left the House. amid wild Nationalist
cheers and Mr., Chamberlain resumed his
speech.
The election Of Mr.. Dillon did not serve to
clear the atmosphere and the remainder Of the
debate was hlled with personal illusions and
unpleasant exchanges the nature = which
would have excited comment had they not been
discounted by the first explosion.
David Lloyd George welsh Nationalist Bit
terly attacked the government drawing a har
rowing picture Of the conditions in South Africa,
and charged the War Office with pigeonholing
important information.
SIR Charles Cayzer Conservative interrupted
Mr.. Lloyd George. saying the speaker play
ing to the pro- Beers whereupon Mr. Lloyd
George characterized the interruption an
insOlent remark" This caused confusion in the
House. and cries OF Withdraw John Red
mond Qeader Of the Irish party in the House
OF COmmons) appealed 10 the Chair, and Sir
Charles reluctantly withdrew his statement.
". r Plummer (ConseTvative) and Mr.. Red
mOnd then had alteration. and after more
disorder Mr.. Lloyd-George succeeded in finish
ing with the remark that he did not know who
was responsible for all the errors and inconl-
potency in South Africa, but that the men who
had profted by these conditions sat upon
the government bench
Mr.. Brodrick. the Secretary OF State for War
replied to Mr.. LLOYD George with a long de-
fence of the War Office
Mr.. Dillons suspension under the present
rules. cannot exceed a week. His offence would
have been much more severely dealt with had
the rules been in force