§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether the attention of the Government has been called to the murder in February last by Dutch Boers, in the so-called "Republic) of Stellaland," of Mr. J. W. Honey, a British subject; and, what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken, or propose to take, in order to secure the punishment of the murderers, who are well known?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYThe only news the Government has is that this man Honey was one of the freebooters in Bechuanaland, and that he has been murdered. He was proclaimed an outlaw by the Government of Stellaland. [Mr. ASHMEAD BARTLETT: What Government?] The self-constituted Government of Stellaland. The information we have is that his murderer is supposed to be a man named Ireland, who has come into Griqualand West, and the officer administering the Government there has issued a Commission under 26 & 27 Vict. c. 35, which is entitled an Act for the Prevention and Punishment of Offences committed by Her Majesty's Subjects in South Africa, under which, if evidence was forthcoming, the men would be arrested and tried.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI should like to ask whether we are to understand that Her Majesty's Government regard Honey as one of the freebooters of Bechuanaland? [Mr. EVELYN ASHLEY: Yes.] And, secondly, whether we were to understand from the answer that Her Majesty's Government recognized the so-called Republic of Stella-land, or the so-called Government of Stellaland?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYThe only reason why I said anything about the self-constituted authorities of Bechuanaland is, that this murder was brought about because Honey had himself served up to that time as an ally, and then when he was proclaimed as an outlaw he was murdered by the people.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTBut is it not a fact that the self-constituted authorities of Stellaland are the Dutch freebooters who deprived Montsoia and Mankoroane of their territories?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYI believe the hon. Member is right.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEWhat we want is an explanation of the sort of Government that was established in Stellaland. We ought to have some clear notion of what it is, and if it was recognized in any way by Her Majesty's Government?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYIt is a very simple matter. ["Oh, oh!"] I have been giving a narrative of facts. I cannot see what complication there is. The Government have had sent to them this proclamation of this so-called Republic, issued by a man called Niewkirk, styling himself President of the Provisional Republic of Stellaland, and Honey's name was mentioned as an outlaw, and soon after that he was murdered.
§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTEWhat we want to know is the sort of people Her Majesty's Government have been corresponding with?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYYou cannot say we have corresponded with them. The document was forwarded to us as a public document by the authorities.