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391 "
On 7th July Chamberlain informed Milner, ". Aa I have
constantly warned you, opinion here is strongly opposed
to war, although the necessity of resorting to war in
the last resort in gradually making its way among all
classes. If we were driven to this last extremity, I
think the Government could rely upon the vast majority of
its own supporters and a minority of the oppositon, but
the bulk of the oppooition would probably take the
opportunity
to denounce us*"
(1)
Later, Chamborlsiu
Gave the impression of a Gradual but definite build up
of anti-Door
Garvin,
(2)
feeling
.
Historians auch an k. C. K. Enror
put over the view that the Government was
urged on to war by the bellicosity and ageronoion of
the public, and that the bulk of the nation supported
the Government 6n the iaaue. This state of tied was
more apparent after wax' had broken out, but hardly applies
to the pro-war period. The roaolutions vent to the
Colonial Office from 11th June to 31st Octobor, provide
a good general guide to public opinion; the picture is not
(1) Chamberlain MSS. JC 1Q 9 Chamberlain to Milner 7th July 1899.
ý2) Xao 1 . C`K. Uncorg Enrl nd 1R7O-1914, pp. 2k5-51.
Garvin, Life of Jonerh Chamberlain, Vol 3"