SALISBURY’S SPEECH

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 260, 12 November 1901, Page 2

SALISBURY’S SPEECH

VAGUE VITUPERATION. By telegraph—Press Asfociation—Copyright London, Nov. 10. Lord Salisbury, in liis Guildhall speech, proceeded to deny the allegations of neglect or lukewarmness, or such Government action as served to prolong the guerilla conflict, and described such statements as valueless, vague vituperation, and illdefined criticism. The Government’s position in regard to the Boers had remained unchanged throughout. Their desire was that the new territories should enjoy peace, freedom, civil rights, and at the earliest possible moment self-govern-ment, liko the other colonies. “Wo are told,” he proceeded, “ that our opponents will accept only independence. We reply that tho independence of neighbors who attacked us at two days' notice, after accumulating for years tho material for a colossal war, is inconsistent with our security.”—(Cheers.) Ho was sure the nation was deeply resolved that the South African trouble would never recur, however great tho present sacrifice and labor involved. The nation would not allow any temporary difficulty to interfere with tho chosen path, which was dictated alike by duty and interest. There existed a dogged determination to carry out the policy which tho nation beliovod to be that of the Empire. Lord Sclbournc, responding for the navy, said one hundred recently-con-structed torpedo-boat destroyers had proved a triumphant success. In only two instances was structural weakness discovered, and special measures had been adopted in the way of future precautions.