§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he has reason to believe the statement of a Cape newspaper, the " Watchman," that in the Mairosi campaign our forces had smoked to death nine men and boys in a cave; and, if so, whether Her Majesty's Government have given any sanction to this war being carried on this manner?
§ COLONEL STANLEYI have not been able to obtain any information on this subject which I can give the House.
§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONWill the right hon. and gallant Gentleman inquire?
§ COLONEL STANLEYI will communicate with the Secretary of State for the Colonies; but my impression is that these officers belong to the Colonial Forces.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS - BEACHWith the permission of the House I will reply to the hon. Baronet. I have seen the paragraph which he has quoted. The Forces engaged in the war against Moirosi, to which it relates, are not in any way responsible to my right hon. and gallant Friend, nor, indeed, to Her Majesty's Government. They are in the pay and employment of the Colonial Government of the Cape; and, with regard to their actions, I could only remonstrate with the Cape Government, if I saw any necessity for doing so. It appears, however, that what occurred was this. Certain persons, Basutos, occupied a cave, and it was found necessary to dislodge them. They stated that they were ready to surrender, and some of the Colonial Forces entered the cave with the view of helping them 1727 out, when they were fired upon. Then it was that the fire was re-lit at the entrance to the cave, and these deaths occurred. I merely state that, because it, to some extent, explains what happened; but I shall take care to get a full report upon the matter.