THE TRANSVAAL WAR.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9939, 10 December 1900, Page 3

THE TRANSVAAL WAR.

—♦ BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Address-in-Reply.

Splendid Speech by Mr Chamberlain.

Liberals and Conservatives in Accord.

Lord Salisbury's Speech.

Its Reception on the Continent.

United Press Association. By Electric Telegraph — Copyright.

(Received Dec. 9, 4.45 p.m.) London, Dec. 9. Mr A. Emmott, Liberal member for Oldham, moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, recommending that with a view to promoting pacification in the South African difficulty, Britain should give an early guarantee in regard to the liberty and property of the surrenderors. Mr Charles P. Trevelyan, Liberal member for Yorkshire, seconded the amendment. Both speakers "adopted a conciliatory attitude, believing in the certainty that clement treatment would shorten the war. The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, in a powerful and equally conciliatory speech, showed that the spirit of the amendment was embodied in. Lord Roberts's proclamation. The Generals] who had to face the guerilla warfare i intended to deal summarily with the j men who indulged alternately in snip- j ing and acting as apparently peaceful agriculturists, but the right would be sparingly exercised. He hoped that before February something' in the nature of civil administration would be introduced by Sir Alfred Milner, who would fill the position of High Commissioner and Governor of both colonies. A Lieutenant-Governor would be appointed to the Orange River Colony, whose form of government, with its good existing machinery, would, as far as possible, be retained. Municipalities would early be created, beginning with Pretoria, Bioemfontein, and Johannesburg. Local opinion would be studied always, and customs varied as little as possible. Afrikanders would be appointed to all posts of administration where it could be done with safety. Then the races would be provided with equal laws and equal liberty, and a constitution, leading to self-government, as already suggested, would follow. The charges of devastation in the Boer territories had been grossly exaggerated. Farmhouses had been destroyed solely because of treasonable acts, contrary to the laws which governed warfare. Women had been deported for their own protection against marauding bands and natives. He referred to the wealth of the Transvaal as a source of taxation to cover the claims for the losses caused by the war. The benefit of the amnesty to be declared would apply to most of the Boer leaders. Some, however, would not be permitted or-irrai'. Sir Alfred Milner had issued a fresh proclamation, giving his intentions. Mr Chamberlain concluded by eulogising the bravery and humanity of the bulk of their foes. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, leader of the Opposition, said Mr Chamberlain's explanation showed that there was no difference of opinion between the Government and the Opposition on the questions raised by the Liberal party. The Right Hon. H. Asquith, Liberal member for Fife, praised the scheme as a modus vivendi toward fuller self-government. He suggested an appeal to the Boers in the field in the name of the Unionists and Liberals. At Sir Henry Campbell-Banner-man's suggestion Mr Enimott's amendment was withdrawn. The verdict of the newspapers is that Mr Chamberlain's was a national speech by a national statesman. It has met with the practical assent of the whole Liberal party, although they advise caution in connection with the details. Lord Salisbury's remarks in the debate on the Address in-Reply with reference to the settlement of the war (in which the Prime Minister strenuously reiterated that the war would be vigorously prosecuted to the end, that the British policy was embodied in Lord Roberts's proclamation, and that the independence of the republics was impossible) is interpreted on the Continent as a final intimation that Great Britain will not accept arbitration. Viscount Craubourne, Under-Sec-retary of State for Foreign Affairs, speaking in the House of Commons, said precedents showed that foreign recognition of annexation was not dependent on the notification of such an act by the Power concerned. Notice was not necessary.