South Africa.

Feilding Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 1457, 9 June 1902, Page 2

South Africa.

The Kitchener Grant. Speech by Lord Salisbury. An Austrian Field • Marshall's Opinion. Telegraph. Press Association. Copyright London, Juno 7. In the House of Commons, Mr Balfour moved, and Sir H. CampbellBannerman very warmly supported, the granting of £50,000 to Viscount Kitchener. Mr John Dillon objected, and Mr Redmond b accused Viscount Kitchener of making war on women and children. A violent scene ensued, and the closure was applied. The grant was voted by 880 votes to 44. Messrs Labouchere (Northampton), and Cremer (Haggerston),' were the only Radicals in the minority. The votes for grants to the soldiers and sailors, were carried by 382 to 42, Sir H. Campbell- Banner man again expressing the country's admiration for both services. Mr Chamberlain in acknowledging a message of sympathy at Birmingham said the terms granted to the Boers, although generous, would secure all for which England had been fighting, and he hoped they would prove the foundation ot a lasting settlement. June 7. The Government has congratulated Viscount Kitchener for his energy, skill, and patience in the conduct of the campaign. They have also asked him to convey to the troops the Government's profound sense of their spirit and endurance in meeting every call, their bravery in action, excellent discipline, and humanity throughout the trying period. Viscount Kitchener replied, sincerely thanking the Government on behalf of the army. Schalk-Burgher, addressing the Pietermaritzburg concentration camp advised the people to forget, and forgive. It was hopeless to struggle longer, and it was best to act up to the terms of surrender. De Wet, speaking at the concentration camps at Viedefort road, urged the burghers to show what good colonists the Boers could make. Viscount Kitchener reports that 1154 Boers have surrendered their arms at various districts. On Thursday the commissioners delivered speeches, the Boers responding with three hearty cheers for Viscount Kitchener and the King. The boat possible relations exist, and there has been no hitch anywhere. President Roosevelt has asked the Hon. Arthur Raikes, secretary to the British Embassy at Washington, to convey to Lord Salisbury his kind and sincere congratulations on the declaration of peace. The Lords unanimously concurred in the grant of £50,000 to Lord Kitchener, and voted grants to the forces. Lord Salisbury, in an impressive speech, said that Britain was content to attract the defenders of the Empire by motives of honour and patriotism. They never would have cause to repent it, and snever before had there been such abundant cause to thank their Colonial fellow-subjects for the support tendered when most needed. Continuing, he said, : — " The more the difficulties increased, the warmer and closer grew the Colonials' loyalty, enabling us to impress all our opponents with our ability to unflinchingly carry on the conflict, whereof there are few better examples in our history. Whatever our opponents' animosity there was strength enough in the steadfastness of English sentiment, and above all in the steadfast affection of our-oversea kinsmen to frustrate their efforts." England, the speaker said, was never safer than during the period of greatest danger, and she hacl emerged much stronger from the conflict than when she entered upon it. Earl Spencer, in cordially seconding the motion for the grant, said the difficulties overcome had been unprecedented. Mr Chamberlain stated that assistance to restore the people to their homes would be applied to all Britishers in South Africa. Mr Balfour stated that the promised enquiry into the management of the war was engaging the Government's attention. Mr Chamberlain, in opening the Colonial Troopers' Club, said that Canada and Australasia had sent an army greater than the British Army at Waterloo, and if our needs had been greater the Colonial forces would have been multiplied manifold. The Club was a proof of the brotherhood, sympathy, and animation of the whole race. The Queen, in thanking the Mayoress and women of Leicester for their peace address, said she would be thankful if she could be instrumental in any way in lessening the sufferings and privations of those who had fought so nobly and bravely for their beloved country. Vienna, June 1, The Austrian Field-Marshal, Ratzenhofer, in an article in the Neu Frie Presse, says the manner in which the British fought the engagements during tne penultimate stage of the war, and Lord Kitchener's systematic occupation of the theatre of war, must command the greatest respect on the part of experts. The army may look with justifiable pride on its achievements, which are calculated to enhance the military prestige of Britain, whoso world-wide dominion is in no wise impaired.