SPEECH BY MR CHAMBERLAIN.

Manawatu Herald, 17 May 1898, Page 3

SPEECH BY MR CHAMBERLAIN.

Mr Chamberlain (Secretary of State for the Colonies), in a speech at Birmingham, said that Britain by following a policy of strict isolation was liable to be confronted at any moment by a combination of great Powers. All parts of the Empire had already been drawn together, and through it was infused a spirit of Imperial patriotism and a sense of common interest in trade defence. That war was near was strongly felt. Their; next duty was to maintain the bonds of permanent unity with their trans-Atlantic kinsmen, whose interests were identical with ours, and more definite arrangements with whom would be better for both and the world. War would be cheaply purchased if it resulted in the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack waving together over an Anglo-Saxon alliance. Momentous issues were before us, and the time might come before long when the Government must appeal to the patriotism of the people. Mr Chamberlain said that unless Great Britain was allied with a military Power she would be unable to seriously injure Russia, and Russia would be unable to injure her. If Great Britain entered into an alliance with Russia, Who could / guarantee the Russian's loyalty? So far there had only been a preliminary skirmish in China, but if the policy of isolation was followed the fate of the Chinese Empire would hereafter be decided without reference to and in defiance of our interests. Britain> must not reject an alliance with those Powers whose, interests are approximate to hers. The speeches of Mr Chamberlain and Lord Salisbury have made a great sensation.