§ SIR MTCHAEL HICKS-BEACHasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether Her Majesty's Government can give any information to the House with regard to the German Settlement of Angra Pequena, the area of the territory annexed, and its borders, especially towards Bechuanaland; what steps have been taken to protect the rights of British subjects in the Islands annexed to the Cape Colony in 1867; and, what steps are being taken to ensure the fulfilment of promises made to the Native Damara Chief, and others, by the British Commissioners in 1877–8?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYThe Protectorate proclaimed by the German Empire is from the Orange River up to the 18th degree S. latitude, excepting Walfisch Bay and British territory surrounding, and for 20 geographical miles inland; the area roughly would be about 16,600 square miles. The distance from the 20 mile limit above named to Kuruman, in Bechuanaland, would be about 500 miles across the Kalahari Desert. As to the Islands referred to, which are Guano Islands, we have obtained assurances from the German Government that the birds on the Islands and the guano deposits should not be disturbed. I may also add, in connection with these matters, that a Mixed Commission has been named to inquire and report upon the respective claims of British and German subjects of the mainland. As to the third Question, I apprehend that the right hon. Gentleman refers to the action of the Colonial Government in the sending of Mr. Palgrave as a Resident to Damaraland. I would refer the right hon. Gentleman to a despatch of the Earl of Kimberley's of the 13th of December, 1880, in which he pointed out that by so doing the Colonial Government had exceeded its authority, the High Commissioner alone being empowered to deal with the Native tribes and territory beyond the borders. He further went on to say that—
Her Majesty's Government are of opinion that the Orange River should be maintained as the North-Western limit of the Cape Colony; and they will give no countenance to schemes for the extension of British jurisdiction over great Namaqualand and Damaraland.364 In the meantime, however, the Colonial Government, on the outbreak of war between the Namaquas and the Damaras, withdrew their Resident, stating that it had always been decided from the very first that no attempt to employ any other kind of force but moral force should be made. Since then we have regarded our relations with the Damaras as practically at an end.
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHHas that despatch been published?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYYes.