§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether he can afford any facilities for the discussion of the Motion of which Notice has been given with respect to the Transvaal?
MR. GLADSTONEThe right hon. Gentleman has done everything that could be expected of him to secure the discussion of the Motion of which he has given Notice; and had matters in South Africa remained as they were at the time we last communicated across the Table, I should have been quite prepared to place at the right hon. Gentleman's disposal the first or second Government day after the second reading of the Land Law (Ireland) Bill. But, since that time, a change of circumstances have occurred. We have been authentically informed of the nature of the proceedings at Potchefstroom; and it has been made quite undeniable that the capitulation of Potchefstroom was obtained—and it is admitted by the Boer Leaders themselves, with whose conduct we have no fault to find—by an act of treachery on the part of Cronjes, who commanded the besieging force, and who never made known to the garrison the fact that an armistice had been concluded. The Boer leaders quite agree that full reparation must be made for the capitulation, and that the capitulation must be cancelled and the garrison replaced in Potchefstroom, or other equivalent measures taken for the satisfaction of Her Majesty's Government. In these circumstances, the arrangements in South Africa have certainly receded somewhat from the degree of maturity which they had reached at the time of the former conversation in the House, and which was such as to enable us to believe that the whole conduct of Her Majesty's Government might be brought under review without injury to the public interest. At present, I cannot say that that is the case. I could not be responsible—I am sure the right hon. Gentleman will understand me—for promoting a discussion in the circumstances which now prevail. I certainly have very good hope that no long delay need on that account be interposed; but until the very serious matter—serious in principle—to which I have referred, is disposed of, I am not in a position to make any communications to the right hon. Gentleman. If he thinks fit, I will leave the matter on this footing—that, instead of his watching from day to day for the opportunity he desires, and possibly putting Questions to the Government, I will be responsible for making known to him at the first moment when it may be considered that we have re- 1533 verted to the former state of affairs, and will tender to him the best arrangements in my power with the view of enabling him, if he thinks fit, to bring his Motion forward.