Page:The Annual Register 1899.djvu/13

 1899.] Mr. Motley and Mr. Chamberlain. [5

absurdly called rebellion. Is it a good and valid defence for these operations that they are opening up markets for British goods? Turn the question over in your minds. Meanwhile, here is an answer for you, not from me, but from an eminent Tory lawyer. That eminent Tory lawyer, Sir Edward Clarke, speaking the other day, used this language. He said : ' If you seek to extend the area of your commerce by the use of Maxim guns- and lyddite shells, and all the devilish contrivances of modern warfare, you are embarking on a policy which is a crime as well as a blunder. War for commerce sounds a very innocent phrase, and may be allowed to pass. Murder for gain has an uglier sound, but it as truly represents that course of policy.' "

Mr. Chamberlain promptly replied to several points raised by Mr. Mprley, and to his challenge to define a " little Englander." Speaking at the Wolverhampton Chamber of Commerce (Jan. 18), the Secretary for the Colonies said he thought the most • prominent feature of the political history of the previous year was a clearer conception of an imperial policy, and a determina- tion to accept the necessary obligations and to make the necessary sacrifices. He defined a "'little Englander* as a man who honestly believes that the expansion of this country carries with it obligations which are out of proportion to its advantages," instancing as a prominent representative of this theory Lord Farrer, who tried to prove that trade did not follow the flag, a fallacy which our trade with Mauritius and Burmah, as compared with our trade with Madagascar and Tonquin, fully demonstrated. With regard to foreign affairs, Mr. Chamberlain declared that by firmness and open dealing we had gained much in our negotia- tions with France, especially in Western Africa, where our influence in the Central Soudan had been recognised. There were two other questions requiring settlement — Madagascar and Newfoundland — and with reference to the latter he traced the history of the French rights ; and, whilst fully recognising their existence, expressed his willingness to remove this cause of constant friction by arrangement on fair and reasonable terms of compensation.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir M. Hicks - Beach, speaking at Bristol on the same day, defended the more cautious school of imperialism against the ever-increasing demands of the " Jingoes." " It was of no use to us," he said, " to add to our territories more territory than we could digest. We could not do everything at once, and we should be wiser for the moment if we attempted to develop what we had already acquired rather than to add still further to the extent of our empire."

Of far greater interest and importance was Mr. Asquith's speech at Louth (Jan. 16), in which, whilst praising Mr. Morley, he did his utmost to bury him politically. He lamented Ins withdrawal from active co-operation with his former colleagues ; but he wholly dissented from Mr. Morley's estimate of the Fashoda incident, and dissociated himself entirely from his