HC Deb 29 March 1881 vol 260 cc156-7
SIR JOHN HAY

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War a Question, of which I have given him private Notice, as follows:—If he can give the House any information as to the report of the surrender of Potchefstroom during the armistice; and if the attack reported to have been made by the Boers during the continuance of the armistice was not contrary to the usages of civilized warfare; and whether the Boer leaders who led the attack will be exempt from the amnesty?

MR. CHILDERS

I have to state that we have received the following telegram from Sir Evelyn Wood, dated noon yesterday:— March March 28.—Fort Amiel, 12 noon.—Winsloe surrendered Potchefstroom on the 21st, before my mule waggons, which left Mount Prospect the 7th, had traversed the distance—200 miles. Terms: All honours of war, retaining private weapons and property; guns and rifles surrendered, but ammunition for both to be handed to Brand for custody during war, after which to be returned to us. Garrison not to serve during the hostilities at present existing. Garrison now marching viâ Kronstadt on Natal. Immediately on its receipt, I conferred with Lord Kimberley; but we are not yet in possession of sufficient information to guide Her Majesty's Government as to the reply to be sent to Sir Evelyn Wood. I may remind the right hon. and gallant Baronet that a question may arise whether the news of the prolongation of the armistice could have reached Potchefstroom before the 21st instant. But on this and other points I express at present no opinion.

SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTE

I wish to ask the Secretary of State for War, Whether, in the inquiry he proposes to make in order to ascertain whether the news of the prolongation of the armistice can have reached Potchefstroom before the 21st, he would take into account the fact that that news might have arrived quicker if sent through the Orange Free State than by the longer route through the Transvaal?

MR. CHILDERS

I have already been consulting those who are acquainted with the locality, with a view of arriving at some understanding on the specific point. I cannot say more at present.