Want of Confidence Debate.
Manawatu Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 7921, 8 February 1904, Page 3
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Want of Confidence Debate.
Press Association—Copyright. London, Saturday. Mr Robson, in moving an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, dwelt on the absence of a plan of campaign in South Africa. The blunders were due- to the Ministry, not to the soldiers.
Mr Wyndham, in replying, practically repeated Mr Balfour's (speech at the United Club. He contended that the munitions and provisions sufficed for a force of 75,000 had the estimate been correct, but the Government case rested on the report of the Commissioners. Mr Chamberlain, in a strenuous speech, quoted Sir Campbell-Bannerman's declaration, made three months prior to the war, that military preparations were unnecessary, and asked how could the Boerß be expected to come to terms, thinking if they refused we would not make preparations, or if wo did would be condemned by the Opposition. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, leader of the Opposition, speaking on Mr Bobson's amendment, stated that ou June 20th, 1899, Mr Chamberlain came to his room and asked if the Opposition would join in sending ten thousand troops to the Cape, and declared there would be no fighting, saying the Government were only engaged in a game of bluff. He (Sir Henry) refused on the ground that the responsibility of sending troops rested with the Executive. Mr Chamberlain, in replying, gaid he bad no recollection of the word bluff, and it was unlikely that he could have used it. He told Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman there was no probability of war then, but it was desirable to impress upon the Boers that Britain was in earnest.
