New-York tribune., 1902-01-12
BIRMINGHAM.
Mr.. CHAAfBERLAIN AT BIRMINGHAM.
THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TOUCHES ON
THE ATTACKS IN THE REICHsTAG.

London, Jan. 11.-Joseph Chamberlain. the
Colonial Secretary. speaking at Birmingham to-
night took occasion TO notice. without entering
into a controversial rejoinder. the criticisms
showered upon him in the Reichstag during the
last week, especially Count Won Bulow's castiga-
ton. Referring TO the animosity Of foreign ma
tions, he said he was well aware that it in
some quarters attributed TO the "indiscreet ora
tory Of the Colonial Secretary"
What I have said" continued the Secretary.
II have said. I withdraw nothing; I qualify
nothing; defend nothing. AS I read history,
no British minister has ever served his country
faithfully and at the same time been popular
abroad. I therefore make allowance for for
eign criticisms. 1 will not follow the example
that has been set me- l do not want TO give les
sons 10 q foreign minister and viii not accept
any at his hands. l am responsible only TO my
sovereign and my countryrnen.
II do not depreCiate the Importance or the
good will OF foreign nations, but there is some
thing more important It 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 il may concern that
# ever again We have, as in the past to hght
for our very existence against the world IN
arms, we viii be supported by the sons or Brit
ain in every quarter of the globe"
How can J." said Mr.. Chamberlain. "be made
responsible for what Lord Grey has called 'hIthy
les and what Lord Rosebery described as vile
Infamous falsehoods,' which have been dissent
mated in foreign countries without q syllable or
protest without the slightest interference by re
sponslbe authorities? Ny opponents must ind
some other scapegoat; they must look further
for the causes OF hostility which do not think
deserved, but which always comes to the sur
face when We are in difficulty, and which l am
glad 10 say has never done US serious harm.
Mr. Chamberlain said that when the present
Ministry came into office il was at time When
the country at peace with the world, put
the Cabinet had 10 meet at least six burning
questions of international jInpoTtan THESE leg
acies which Lord Salisbury had TO take up in
cluded the Venezuela boundary question, the
Samoan difficulty and the French poslIlon on
the Nile, all Of which the government success
fully grappled and disposed Of
Our American knsfolk, continued MT.
Chamberlain. have agreed to a treaty to ena bic
the construction of an interoceanic canal, which
I believe will be Of great advantage TO the COM
merce Of the world, il viii be OF great ad-
vantage TO the United States. l might have
included the struggle between the Beers ana
Great Britain for supremacy in South Afrlca'
but say these are solid achievements in the
cause Of peace; and If we have been unable 10
remove Continental prejudice. which has always
existed but was never more coarsely expressed
have at least been enabled 10 settle many
substantial differences which might have caused
International conflict -
EEtolng colonial patriotism. MI. Chanper-
lain said:
only a day or two ago read in an influential
Canadian paper an editorial which declared
that the pro-Boers in England were lnJurlng
the empire abroad and destroying the unity
which IS our national safeguard. This Is only a
sample Of the loyalty expressed in every colony
Of the empire This is new factor In politics.
You must hereafter consult the colonies upon
every vital question Of imperial politics.
Mr. Chamberlain concluded by paying tributes
70 Lord Kitchener's stern resolution, the army's
cheerful courage and Lord Miners wise ad-
mlnistration.