Omaha daily bee., 1902-07-30
CHAMBERLAIN IN THE HOUSE
First Appearance of Colonial sSorStary
Since His Accident.
TALKS OF AFFAIRS IN SOUTH AFRICA
says Government VIII Garry Ont All
Promises Made TO the Beers,
but viii Take Its Time
in Doing So.

LONDON. July 29.-Colonial Secretary
Chamberlain appeared in the House Of
Commons this afternoon for the hrst time
since his recent accident.
He was greeted with hearty. cheering and
later he was wermly congratulated by Sir
Henry Campbell Bannerman, liberal leader
in the house
Mr.. Chamberlain's appearance in the
House of Commons today was marked by
speech which won the applause
even OF such opponents as Henry La
boucher. Mr.. Chamberlain dealt COM
prehensively with the past and future Of
South Africa. I'VE have no intention" he
declared. that the Beers should break
with their old traditions. We desire that
they should preserve all the characteristics
Of their race and hope they will shake
hands with us, thus securing prosperity
in South Africa under the flag which pro-
tects different races and diffeernt re-
ligions."
That sentiment was the keynote of the
speech.
Dealing with the much discussed labor
question, Mr.. Chamberlain said he believed
every inducement to labor should be held
out to the blacks. but no scheme of COM
pulsory labor would receive the slightest
government support. There is no inten-
tion of packing the country with Brit
ishers, 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 Bannerman supple
mented his congratulations by asking for
information of the colonial conference.
He expressed the hope that lenient treat
ment would be extended to the Beers in
South Africa. Mr. Chamberlain replied that
the one spirit animating the members OF
the conference was the desire to draw
closer together the constituent parts OF
the empire, and he thought 1t safe to say
that the conference had made important
progress toward a perfect union. to which
he himself looked forward
Regarding South Africa, Lord Milner, the
high commissioner. had telegraphed spon-
taneously that he did not think further
legislation necessary to make the banish-
ment proclamation effective. The gov
ernment, 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 themselves mimi
cal to good order and peace. I'VE are not
going to allow the result OF the war to be
undermined said Mr.. Chamberlain, by
intrigues carried on by nominal constitu-
tional means"
status of south Africa.
Regarding the future status OF South
Africa the colonial secretary said the i'm
perial government had established crown
colony in the strictest sense. The next step
would be to add a nominated ofncial ele-
ment. Thereafter there would be an elected
official element. Nothing but circumstances
and time would separate the new colonies
from self-government. the ultimate goal OF
their ambition. That consummatfon would
not be delayed, II for no other reason, be-
cause 1t might relieve the government OF
the tremendous burden Of responsibility in
volved in the present situation, but all must
understand that the government would not
be rushed or pushed into any action which
circumstances did not warrant.
The speaker said he was one OF those op-
timistic enough to believe that the new
colonies would reach the ultimate goal OF
their ambition much sooner than many per-
sons now thought possible. So far as the
government was concerned, the surrender
promises would be kept in spirit as we'll as
in letter. The government, he said, was
bound, both by honor and interest, TO this
course.
There remained many questions to be
| dealt with; a new tariff must be arranged
| involving intricate questions concerning
which experts must be consulted, and the
| taxation of mines must be settled, but he
wished to say nothing would be done t
punish owners of mines. as had been sug-
| gested in many quarters. The government
would do nothing to interfere with a quicl
revival OF development Of the country.
Subject to that consideration, Mr.. Cham.
| berlain continued, no man was more anx.
ious than he to recover some considerable
part Of the cost OF the war from Souti
Africa. He thought 1t would be perfectly
fair to lay fair part of the cost OF the
war on the principal industries Of th'
Transvaal. but what amount 1t was toC
soon to say.
Mr.. Chamberlain's speech evoked crit
| icism OF the financial features OF the policy
outlined for South Africa from Sir William
Vernon Harcourt, James Bryce and others
Mr.. Byrce said he hoped the national scouts
would not be used as police. but Mr.. Cham
berlain said he could not see why they
should not be so employed. as he believed
they would make admirable civil guards
Mr.. Chamberlain also said he hoped the
royal judicial commission going out tc
South Africa would exercise the kings
clemency in view OF the large number Of
sentences imposed during the war.
| p0TuA HIVEc E00n knUIHE