The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-12
STANDS BY HIS SPEECH
MIR. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN HAS
NOTHING TO TAKE BACK.
Replies to Criticism by Saying He Is
Responsible Only to His Sovereign
and His COuntrymen.

LONDON, Jan. 11-Joseph Chamberlain,
the colonial secretary. in speaking at Bir-
mingham, tonight, took occasion, with
out entering into a controversial rejoinder,
to notice the criticisms showered upon
him in the Reichstag during the past week,
especially Count Won Buelow's castiga-
tion. In referring to the animosity of for
eign nations. he said he was aware that
in some quarters it was attributed to the
''indiscrete oratory of the colonial secre-
tary." What L have said" continued
the secretary. Il have said. l withdraw
nothing. L qualify nothing: 1 ue1end moth
ing. As L read history, no British minis
ter has ever served his country faithfully
and at the same time been popular abroad
l, therefore, make allowance for foreign
criticism. L will not follow the example
that has been set me. 1 do not want to
give lessons to a foreign minister, and
will not accept any at his hands. 1 am
responsible only to my sovereign and my
countrymen.
Il do not depreciate the Importance Of
the good will of foreign nations, but there
is something more important 1t is the
affection and confidence of our kinsfolk
across the sea. Even our great losses in
the war that has been forced upon us
have brought in their train one blessing
of infinite and lasting Importance That
war has enabled the British empire to find
itself and has shown to all whom it may
concern that If ever again we have as
in the past. to fight for our very exist
ence against the world in arms. we will
be supported by the sons of Britain in
every quarter of the globe"
How can T. said Mr.. Chamberlain 'be
made responsible for what Lord Grey has
called filthy lies and what Lord Rosebery
described as vile, infamous falsehoods
which have been disseminated in foreign
countries without syllable of protest
without the slightest interference by re-
sponsible authorities? My opponents must
find some other scapegOat; they must look
further for the causes of hostility. which
do not think deserved. but which alwavs
come to the surface wnen we are in diff
hculty, and which / am glad to say has
never done us serious harm
Mr.. Chamberlain said that when the pres
ent Ministry came into office ii was at a
time when the country was at peace with
the world. but the Cabinet had to meet AT
least six burning questions of international
Importance. These legacies which Lord
Salisbury had TO take up included the Ven
ezuelan boundary question the Samoan diff
fculty and the French position on the Nile
all OF which the government successfully
grappled and disposed OF.
"Our American kinsfolk" continued Mr.
Chamberlain. have agreed to a treaty TO
enable the construction Of an interoceanic
canal, which l believe will be of great
advantage to the commerce of the world
as ii will be of great ADVANTAGE TO the
United States. l might have included the
struggle between the Beers and Great Brit
ain for supremacy i'm South Africa. but
L say these are solid achievements i'm the
cause of peace, and if we have been nm
able 10 remove continental prejudice, which
has always existed, but was never more
coarsely expressed we have at least been
enabled TO settle many substantial diff
ferences which might have caused inter-
national conflict"
Extolling colonial patriotism, Mr.. Cham
Derlaln said: only a day or two ago I
read in an influential Canadian paper an
editorial which declared that the pro- Beers
In England were injuring the empire abroad
ana destroying the unity which Is our ma
tlonal safeguard. This is only a sample of
the loyalty expressed in every colony of
the empire This is a new factor in poll
ucs- You must hereafter consult the col
onles upon every vital question of imperial
politics"
Mr. Chamberlain concluded by paying
tributes to Lord Kitchener's stern resolu-
ton, the armys cheerful courage and Lord
Miners wise administration.