On Thursday Mr. Chamberlain opened a long and trenchant speech
in defence of the policy of the Government by a handsome tribute to the tone and substance of Sir William Harcourt's arraignment. He declared that he preferred the open opposi- tion expressed in the courteous and moderate terms of the Member for Monmouth to the vague insinuations and accusations of the leader of the Opposition. He welcomed all honest and honourable criticism, but " wished he could apply these epithets to the speech of the mover of the amendment." The Speaker intervening on the appeal of Mr. Philip Stanhope, and pronouncing such language to be somewhat beyond the ordinary practice, Mr. Chamberlain withdrew the words complained of, but asserted with pardonable heat that it was impossible to find Parlia- mentary language in which he could express his opinion of Mr. Stanhope's statement that he and Sir Alfred Milner had fomented war. As regards the correspondence between him- self and Mr. Hawksley which Mr. Stanhope had asked to be produced, he declared his readiness to show it to Sir William Harcourt or Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman. He had hoped and striven for peace, but was all along resolved at all costs to secure justice for British subjects and the para- raountoy of this country, and the constant evasion and refusal of their just demands by President Kruger and his official advisers had rendered a peaceful settlement impossible.
Previous page
