The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-08-01

London, July 23.-CoIcniaI Secretary
Chamberlain appeared in the house of
commons this afternoon for the first
time since his recent accident. He was
greeted with hearty cheering and later
he was warmly congI a atulated by Sir
Henry Campbell-Bannerman liberal
leader in the house
Mr.. Chamberlain's appearance was
marked by a speech. which won the
applause even of such opponents as
Henry Labouchere. Nr. Chamberlain
dealt comprehensiyeiy y tn the past and
future OF South Africa
we have no Intention he dec.aerd,
that the Beers should break with their
old traditions. We desire that they
should preserve all the best character
istics of their race and hope they will
shake hands with US, thus securing
flag which protects different races and
different religions That sentiment
was the key note of the speech.
Dealing with the much discussed la
bor question, Mr. Chamberlain said he
believed every ind accInent to labor
should be held out to the blacks but no
scheme of compulsory labor would re-
ceive the slightest government support
There was no inIention of packing
country with Britishe-s, but so much
Transvaal land was lying Idle that the
colonies could only be made a great
corn producing factor by bringing in
British settlers.
Sir Henry Campbell ISannerman sup
plemented his congratulations by ask
ing for information OF the colonial con-
ference. He expressed the hope that
1enient treatment would be extended to
the Beers in South Africa. Mr. Cham
berlain replied that thr one spirit ami
mating the members of the conference
was the desire to draw closer together
the constituent parts of the empire ard
he thought it safe to say that the con-
ference had made ;TIportan'. progress
towards a perfect un:Cn to which he
himself looked forward. Regarding
South Africa. Lord Miner, the high
commissioner hat teie2raphed spontan-
eausly that he die no. thinls further
legislation necessary to make the BAN
ishment proclamation effective. The
government, however reserved to itself
the important right in the new colonies
to refuse to allow the return or to keep
watch over persons who showed them
selves inimical to God order and peace
I'VE are not going to allow the result
Of the war to be Undermined" said Mr..
Chamberlain, by lntIiSues carried on
by nominally constitutional means"
Regarding the future status of South
Africa, the colonial secretar. said the
imperial government had established a
crown colony in the strictest sense.
The next step would be to add nomi-
mated element. Thereafter there would
be an elected official element and then
nothing but circumstances and time
would separate the new colonies from
full sef-governmelt, The ultimate goal
of their ambition. That consummation
would not be delayed; if for no other
reason, because IL might relieve the
government of the tremendous burden
OF responsibility involved in the present
situation; but all must understand that
the government would not be rushed or
hustled into any action which circum-
stances did not warrant. The speaker
said he was one cf those optimistic
enough to believe tnat the new colonies
would reach the uitin.a te goal of their
ambition much sooner than many per-
sons now thought possible. So far as
the government was concerned the sur
render promises would be kept in spirit
as well as in letter. The government,
he said. was bound by honor and in
terest to this course. There remained
many questions to be dealt with; new
tariff must be arranged involving intri-
cate questions concerning which ex-
perts must be consulted, and the taxa
ton of mines must b settled, but he
wished to say nothing would be done
to punish owners Of mines as had been
suggested in many quarters.
The government would do nothing to
interfere with q cuick revival of de-
velopment of the country. Subject to
that consideration Mr.. Chamberlain
continued, no man was more anxious
than he to recover some considerable
part of the cost Of the war from South
Africa He thought it would be perfect
ly fair to lay a fair part of the cost OF
the war on the principal industry of the
.Transvaal but what amount it was too
soon to say.
Mr.. Chamberlain'5 speech evoked
criticism of the financial features OF the
policy outlined for South Africa from
Sir William Vernon-Harcourt, James
Brice and others. Mr.. Bryce said ne
hoped the National Scouts would not
be used as police, pus Mr.. Chamberlain
said he could not See why they should
not be employed as he believed tney
would make admirable civil guards.
Mr.. Chamberlain also said he hopeo
that the judicial commission going 10
South Africa would exercise the king
clemency in view OF the large NUMBER
of sentences imposed during the war.