HC Deb 20 February 1883 vol 276 c401
MR. E. N. FOWLER

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the report that the Cape Ministry have lent two cannon to the Transvaal Boers; and, if so, whether there is any truth in the statement?

MR. EVELYN ASHLEY,

in reply, said, that, on inquiry, they found it was true that the Cape Ministry had lent two guns to the Transvaal Government; but he understood it was to carry on war within their own territory against Mapoch and the rebel Chiefs, and not, as the Question implied, to the Boers carrying on an irregular war in the South-West.

MR. GORST

asked whether the war with Mapoch had received the sanction of the British Resident?

MR. EVELYN ASHLEY

was understood to say that under the terms of the Convention there was to be a previous mediation; but he did not apprehend that the Resident was to give his sanction.