HC Deb 09 August 1877 vol 236 cc678-9
MR. W. E. FORSTER

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can give any information as to the drowning of thirty-two Africans by orders of the superintendent of a Dutch factory near Congo, as reported in the "Daily Telegraph," and especially whether a British subject was implicated in this murder? He might add that he had received from the best private source a confirmation of this dreadful story, and also, he ought to state, that the British subject was said to be an Englishman.

MR. BOURKE

We have received a Report upon this subject, in which se- veral persons are said to have lost their lives as stated; and that Report is now before the Law Officers. It is quite true that one individual who is said to be implicated in this matter is an Englishman.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

I suppose it is under the consideration of the Government to take proper steps for the punishment of this man if there is reason to believe he is guilty?

MR. BOURKE

Certainly, the reason it is before the Law Officers is that the man is said to be a British subject.