Evening star., 1902-02-13
Chamberlain Speaks at Guild
hall in London.
REFERS TO BOER WAR
SAYS THE LIFE OF THE EMPIRF
IS AT STAKE.
Occasion Was the Presentation of tho
Freedom of the City by
the Mayor.

LONDON. February 13-This metropolis
bestowed its highest distinction on Joseph
Chamberlain, the colonial secretary To-
day, when. at the Guldhall. il conferred
on him the freedom of the city in a gold
casket. Mrs Chamberlain accompa MED her
husband and they We're greeted on their
arrival. with fanfare of trumpets Mr..
and Mrs. Chamberlain were conducted To
the library. where they were received by
the lord mayor. Sir Joseph &. Dimsdale.
and the lady mayoress. The hall was
crowded, among those present being Mr..
Chamberlan's political colleagues and ad-
herents. who duly applauded the bestowai
of the city's freedom. The address i'm con-
nection with the presentation congratulate
ed Mr.. Chamberlain on the services he had
rendered the empire during the last tweu-
ty-five years. dwelling specially the way
in which he had welded the colonies to-
gether.
In replying Mr.. Chamberlain disc a im.d
any intention of making political capital
out of the occa aston. but, he said. he thought
he might. in behalf of the government.
make appeal for national support. The
government had two great national ui-
jects in view-to establish beyond question
British authority in South Africa and 20
maintain the unity of the empire Roth
objects were involved in the South African
war.
The War Will Be Memorable.
The war would always be memorable. be
cause it had called out a greater military
effort than ever before asked from Great
Britain. and because it had shown 10 friend
and foe the potential strength and almost
inexhaustible resources of the empire. He
had not thought it necessary to s:ona to
meet the imputations of national greed.
lust Of territory or personal ambition and
criminal motives suggested by the nsE-
nificant minority, since the war had the ap-
proval Of sister nations across the seas.
In regard to the immediate causes Of the
war, continued Mr.. Chamberlain. il was
not only impossible for a great nation TO
allow its subjects to be Inundated or or
pressed. it's engagements broken and black
races oppressed; but the very existence of
the empire was involved and the govern
ment was pledged to continue it until the
danger from which they had escaped was
forever avert ed.
abroad who foretold Great Britains down
fall" Mr.. Chamberlain concluded with a
glowing tribute to the colonies. who,
throughout the war, he said had demon
strated their intention to share the obliga
tions as well the privileges of the en-
pire.
Nation Not Vindictive.
It was long step toward the consolida-
ton which now within measure of
practical accomplishment. He did not envy
the statesman who would be willing to
compromise the issue for which the empire
fought The nation was not vindict!ve to
it's enemies. If they surrendered today
they would be welcomed as friends tomor-
row. The expulsion of those who caused
the war was only a measure of self-pres-
ervation. Similarly. immunity for treason
was not humanity. but was cruelty to the
loyalists and to the Beers who now. In
thousands recognizing the futility of the
struggle, were aiding Great Britain to end
the war. In justice to those who had died
and as security for the survivors, the Beers
must be made to recognize that they are
defeated and from them must be taken
the barest possibility of repeating the at
tempt To do otherwise would be to invite
the contempt of foreign countries whose
affection it seemed impossible for them TO
gain but whose respect. at any rate, they
were able to secure.
luncheon followed the reply of Mr.
Chamberlain to the presentation address.