foreign
nations, constantly promoting agitation and disaffection in our own
colonies," was to be tolerated no longer; but the "individual
liberties" of the Boers were to be preserved. After the war was over a
period of Crown Colony government would be necessary; "but," he added,
"as soon as it is safe and possible it will be the desire and the
intention of Her Majesty's Government to introduce these States into
the great circle of self-governing colonies." In making this
pronouncement Mr. Chamberlain referred in terms of just severity to
the injurious influence which Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, as the
official leader of the Liberal party, had exercised upon the
diplomatic contest of the preceding year. At the precise period when a
word might have been worth anything to the cause of peace, Sir Henry
Campbell-Bannerman, he said--

"had again and again declaimed his own opinion that not only was
war out of the question, but that military preparations of any
kind were altogether unnecessary. I do not speak of the wisdom
which dictated such an expression of opinion," Mr. Chamberlain
continued, "although he repeated that statement three days before
the ultimatum was delivered, and a week before the invasion of
Natal took place. I do not speak, therefore, of his foresight.
But what is to be said of the patriotism of a man who is not a
single individual but who represents a great party by virtue of
his position--although he does not represent it by virtue of his
opinion--what is to be said of such a man who, at such a time,
should countermine the endeavours for peace of Her Majesty's
Government?"

And in the same speech Mr. Chamberlain warned his fellow-countrymen
"against the efforts which would be made by the politicians to snatch
from them the fruits of a victory which would be won by their
soldiers; and in particular against the campaign of misrepresentation
which had been commenced already by Mr. Paul, the Stop-the-War
Committee, and the other bodies which were so lavish with what they
were pleased to call their 'accurate information.'"

[Sidenote: Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman.]

Had Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman seen fit to profit by the experience
of the past, the whole of the suffering and loss of the next year and
a half of wanton hostilities, in all human probability, would have
been avoided. But Mr. Chamberlain's rebuke was disregarded. The
senseles