§ SIR FREDERICK MILNERasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the brutal murder of Mr. Christopher Bethell, Acting Chief of Frontier Police, by the Boers, near the border of Bechuanaland, on July 31st; and, whether Her Majesty's Government have demanded reparation for the murder of this gallant British officer, and the surrender of his murderers to justice?
§ MR. GUY DAWNAYasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the Colonial Office has received any details of the murder of Mr. C. Bethell in Bechuanaland; whether Mr. Bethell had been appointed by Mr. Mackenzie, Commandant of the Frontier Mounted Police, and was acting in that capacity at the time he was murdered in cold blood by Boers; and, whether Her Majesty's Government have taken any, and if so what, steps in the matter?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYYes, Sir. We have received a despatch from Mr. Wright, the Resident Commissioner, giving an account of the sad death of Mr. Bethell, and it will appear among the Papers which will be laid on the Table of the House in a few days. It appears that the murder was a very brutal act, that Mr. Bethell was shot by two Boers as he lay wounded on the field of combat. But whatever the legal aspect of the case may be, which is complicated by the fact that the murder took place neither on Transvaal territory nor on British territory, still the Government thought it was a case of which they should take serious notice. Therefore, we have telegraphed to Sir Hercules Robinson to the effect that, 249 as Mr. Wright named one of the Boers who shot Mr. Bethell, and says that the other name was no secret, every effort should be made to bring the murderers to justice, and asking Sir Hercules Robinson what course he would advise.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHI should like to ask a Question arising out of this answer of the hon. Gentleman. I observed not long ago a statement which appeared to have foundation—namely, that Mr. Wright, to whose despatch he referred, went to the Boers and was detained by them as a prisoner.
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYMr. Wright was induced to come into the hands of the Boers by a flag of truce, and then he was told that he was retained for his own safety. He is no longer in the hands of the Boers; he is free, and therefore no steps have been taken.
§ SIR HENRY HOLLANDWhat was the date of the Government's instructions to Sir Hercules Robinson? Will those instructions appear in the Papers, and when are they likely to be presented?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYThe date of the telegram to Sir Hercules Robinson is to-day. It is only three or four days ago that we received the despatch from Mr. Wright, giving an account of the death of Mr. Bethell. As to the Papers, one portion of them will be delivered to-morrow, and the second portion will be delivered in the course of the week.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERI wish to ask the hon. Gentleman whether Mr. Wright's despatch is the only one that has been received?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYYes, Sir; I believe I am correct in saying that Mr. Wright's is the only official despatch we have received.
§ MR. GUY DAWNAYWill the hon. Gentleman answer the second part of my Question—namely, whether Mr. Bethell had been appointed by Mr. Mackenzie Commandant of the Frontier Mounted Police, and was acting in that capacity at the time he was murdered in cold blood by the Boers?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYYes, Sir; he was appointed by Mr. Mackenzie.
§ SIR FREDEBICK MILNERAs representing the family of Mr. Bethell, I beg to give Notice that it is my intention to go more fully into the subject of 250 Mr. Bethell's murder before the close of the debate on the Address.
§ MR. CREYKEConsidering it is now three months since the murder took place, and considering that it was perfectly well known in this country for nearly the whole of that time, it is strange that the Government has only thought it necessary to telegraph to-day on the subject.
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYWe sent out to ask for official information with reference to what we had seen in the newspapers. We only received that official information, as I have just now stated, and speaking from memory, four days ago, and we have telegraphed today.
§ MR. STANLEY LEIGHTONMay I ask whether it is the intention of the Government to send Sir Charles Warren to Bechuanaland without any military force from England; and, if so, what precaution has been taken to insure his personal safety; and, whether Sir Charles Warren will be placed under the orders of Sir Hercules Robinson, or whether he will hold an independent position similar to that of General Gordon?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYThere is only one part of that Question I can answer without Notice, and that is the first part. Sir Charles Warren will not be sent out to that country without any military force to support him.
§ MR. STUART-WORTLEYWhat is the date of the Government despatch to which Mr. Wright's Report was an answer?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYI really cannot answer these Questions as to date without Notice. The average time required would be five or six weeks to go, and five or six weeks to come back.