HISTORIC SPEECH.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 175, 5 August 1901, Page 2

HISTORIC SPEECH.

ME CHAMBERLAIN REFERS TO THE WAR. “ RUFFIANISM, BRIGANDAGE, AND OUTRAGE.” SEVERE METHODS TO BE ADOPTED. IRISH MEMBERS AGGRAVATED. “ENOUGH BLOOD TO SWIM IN.”

By Telegraph. Press Association. Copyright Loudon, August 3. Sir H. Campbell Banncrmau, dealing with a colonial officer’s note, closely inquired into the South African situation.

Mr Chamberlain, in a weighty speech, said that regular and guerilla war had been succeeded by a third stage, ruffianism, brigandage, and outrage, requiring a change in the attitude towards the authors. Lord Kitchener’s new policy of establishing blockhouses along the lines of communication, separating fighters from those who surrendered; re-establishing the conditions of peaeo in protected districts had been so successful that Lord Kitchener believed it would bo possible to send homo a considerable number of troops at the end of Septombor. Mr Chamberlain procoedcd.to announce that severe methods would be adopted in dealing with incursions on protected areas. Regarding Kruitzinger’s threats, Mr Chamberlain said that the Government had telegraphed Lord Kitchener that such acts as tho killing of wounded were contrary to civilized warfare, and those committing them, or authorising them to be committed, would becourt-martiallcd, and if found guilty would suffer tho penalty of death. Tho statement was greeted with loud cheers.

General French, said Mr Chamberlain, had been instructed to inform Kruitzinger of this decision. Mr Chamborlain added that the military situation was more hopeful than ,for a long time past. The speech provoked groat hostility on the part of the Irish party.

Mr Chamberlain’s crushing retort® to their interruptions greatly aggravated Mr Murphy, the member for Kerry East, who declared that Chamberlain had shed enough blood to swim in.

Obstructionist tactics were maintained until six o’clock in tho morning.