THE TRANSVAAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2253, 6 May 1897, Page 16

THE TRANSVAAL.

DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

London, April 30

In the Budget debate Sir W.-V. Harcourt stated that the Opposition would Cffer a determined resistance to the threatened warlike operations against the Transvaa l . Mr Chamberlain had for months tried to produce a racial war in South Africa and ro exasperate the Dutch.

The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain hotly denounced the pernicious, dangerous, and unpatriotic language of the Leader of the Opposition. It was calculated to embarrass the Government and injure the prospect 3of peace. If the Opposition intended that the Transvaal should be allowed to oreak their obligations with impunity it would be better that they should raise an immediate issue on the subject.

Mr Chamberlain said that it was norsense to accuse the British Government of beicg the aggressors because they had provided an additional regiment and three batteries of artillery at the Cape, when the Transvaal Government bad spent over a million in armaments. He was convinced that loyal people at the Cape were grateful to Great Britain for upholding the conditions of the existing convention with the Transvaal.

The Hon. A. J. Bilfour (First Lord of the Treasury) stated that the additional troops had been merely sent to tbe Cape as a precautionary step. The Government were innocent of any aggressive purpose, their sole object being to maintain existing rights.

Sir W. V. Harcourt, in reply, said that hs welcomed the healing words uttered by the Ministers.

A sharp scene followed.

Before the Transvaal Raid Committee, Mr Chamberlain gave evidence that until the day of the raid he had no suspicion that anything in the nature of armed invasion was Intended.

It is proposed to increased the Cape Mounted Rifles to 1000 men, and the police by 500 men.

Pretoria, May 1. Work at the Pretoria forts progresses continuously day and night.

May 2. Lieutenant Eloff has been appointed chief lieutenant of the Pretoria police.

As a medicine for cure and relief of coughs, colds, and any throat complaints, Bonnington's Ihish Moss still stands to the fore. Those who have not tried it for an annoying cold— old or young— should do so.— Advb.