§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is true that a severe engagement has taken place at Pretoria since the Armistice, and whether the Government intend to take any notice of this act on the part of the Boers, as well as of their conduct at Brunker's Spruit and at Potchefstroom; whether the Government have received information confirming the statement in the "Times" and other papers that the gravest discontent at the terms of peace prevailed among British Colonists, that the British Flag has been insulted, that the Colonists propose to continue the struggle themselves, and that loyal Dutch and British settlers in the Transvaal are being persecuted and driven 767 from the country; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will take steps to maintain the honour and influence of Great Britain in South Africa, or whether they will allow the loyal Dutch and British residents in the Transvaal the same privilege that they gave to the "friendly" inhabitants of Candahar, viz. that of retiring with the retreating British garrisons out of the country altogether?
MR. GRANT DUFFIn reply to the hon. Member's first Question, I have to say that, under the authority of Her Majesty's Government, the Commission will consider what acts which may have been done at Potchefstroom or elsewhere are covered, and what are not covered, by the amnesty. In reply to the hon. Member's second Question, I have to say "No." In reply to his third Question, I have simply to say that Her Majesty's Government has maintained, is maintaining, and will maintain the influence of Great Britain in South Africa.
§ LORD COLIN CAMPBELLasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is the case, as reported by telegrams to the "Standard" published on the 2nd instant, that the Boer leaders have not observed, or are powerless to compel the observance of, the agreement to the effect that there should be "no molestation for political opinion on either side," and that many who were loyal to the late Government are now flying from the country in consequence of the gross violation of the agreement; and, if so, whether the Government will represent to the Boer leaders that such a state of things, if allowed to continue, will render the Treaty ratified on the 23rd of March no longer binding on the Crown?
MR. GRANT DUFFI will first reply to my noble Friend's second Question. I think it would be most undesirable to say, on a hypothetical case, what it might or might not be proper to do if the Boer leaders did something which we have no evidence they have done—the more especially as it is my duty to reply to the first Question of my noble Friend by saying that we have no information confirmatory of the statement therein contained. Of course, in a disturbed country it is perfectly possible that violent things may happen; and it will be the duty of the Commission to 768 review all such things, if brought before them, before a final settlement is arrived at.