Chamberlain Voices the Opinion of the Empire

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 17 August 1901, Page 2

Chamberlain Voices the Opinion of the Empire

Received this day; at 9 15 a.Uii London, August 1(5. The second reading of the Appropriation Rill gave rise to an animated debate in the House of Commons. t

Harcourt referring to Kitchener’s proclamation said it was calculated to irritate, while it would be futile, and was unwarranted by the existing military situation. It deprived the Boers of belligerent right*; Chamberlain replied in a persuasive powerful speech. He emphasised the value of the proclamation by the ingest number of surrenders since its issue. The proclamation had precedents in the Civil War of America and Alsace, and more recently when General M'Arthur warned the Filipinios after their organisation had disappeared that the shooting of American soldiers would be treated as murder.

Haroouct s. Is that your policy. Chamberlain: Ido not say that condition has yet been reached, but il the Boers degenerate into banditti, I say “ Yes that is our policy.” (Ministerial oheers, and Opposition silence.)

An.«««.•.» g , tko fro* clamation had been prepared and approved by the Cabinet prior to Natmi suggestion. It would be worth trying even if it failed. It would rid the colonial of irreconcilables. Asquith emphasized the disorganised guerilla warfare, and tht fact that annexation rendered the Boera British subjects. He praised Kitchener’! energy moderation, and the patient pertinacity of the troops during the year past.