HC Deb 10 August 1883 vol 283 cc65-7
MR. O'KELLY

asked, Whether Her Majesty's Government will make any further representations to the Government of Spain in reference to the liberation of Colonel Maceo, who was illegally arrested on British territory, and handed over to the Spanish Government; whether Her Majesty's Government is aware that Colonel Maceo is kept locked up in his room almost constantly, and that, during the four months he has been a prisoner in Pampeluna, he has not been further than fifteen or twenty paces from his cell; whether his family, during their daily visit, are locked up with Colonel Maceo in the cell in which he is confined; whether anyone is allowed to visit Colonel Maceo without the special permission of the Governor of the Citadel; whether the Spanish Government grant only an allowance of six reales (about one shilling and three-ponce per day) to Colonel Maceo to enable him to live; and, whether this treatment of Colonel Maceo is in accordance with the promises made to Her Majesty's Government by the Govern- ment of Spain to treat Colonel Maceo with the consideration due to his rank?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

It is not, at present, the intention of Her Majesty's Government to make any further representation in the case of Colonel Maceo. The Papers presented to Parliament will show that Her Majesty's Government have made every effort to secure him treatment in a manner according to the promises made, and that they have received on this subject satisfactory assurances from the Spanish Government. Her Majesty's Minister at Madrid will, however, continue to watch the case.

MR. O'KELLY

Will the noble Lord say whether any Representatives of Her Majesty's Legation at Madrid have visited Maceo in prison to find out how he is treated; or do they simply depend upon the representations of the Spanish officials? Time after time I have received letters from Maceo denying the statements.

MR. SPEAKER

called the hon. Member to Order for introducing controversial matter into a Question.

MR. O'KELLY

Well, Sir, I wish to ask whether the Legation at Madrid has taken the trouble to send someone to find out how Maceo is treated?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

The principal complaint, I believe, relates to the fact that the prison at Pampeluna is an exceedingly cold place. That is a proper complaint. With regard to the other Question, I may mention that Maceo's representations have been forwarded to Her Majesty's Government; and, if the hon. Member wishes it, I will lay them on the Table.

MR. O'KELLY

Will the noble Lord inform us whether Colonel Maceo has been living on 1s. 3d. a-day for the last nine months; and, whether such treatment was in accordance with the agreement made by the Spanish Government?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I really do not know whether he is living on 1s. 3d. a-day or not.

MR. JOSEPH COWEN

But will the noble Lord answer the hon. Member for Rescommon as to whether the Representatives of the British Government at Madrid communicated with Maceo himself?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I am not aware whether one of the Legation at Madrid has personally been to the prison or not. I do not suppose the hon. Member thinks that Maceo ought to be visited week by week and day by day; and I do not suppose that a single visit would be any guarantee that during a certain period of time the promises of the Spanish Government would be carried out. We have obtained assurances from the Spanish Government, and we have every reason to believe that the Spanish Government are loyally carrying out their promises.

SIR R. ASSHETON CROSS

But will the noble Lord take pains to get from Maceo himself an account of how be has been treated? That is the question—not whether he will ask any Minister to ask the Spanish Government their opinion.

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

We have already done so, and that communication I have already offered to lay before Parliament.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

But the House has not been informed whether the statement as to 1s. 3d. a-day is correct?

MR. O'KELLY

I should also like to ask the noble Lord whether from this 1s. 3d. a-day Maceo has not to maintain his family?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I will forward the Question containing these allegations to Her Majesty's Minister at Madrid, and call his attention to it.