MR. E. N. FOWLER (LORD MAYOR)asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether it is true that Sir Charles Warren, Special Commissioner in Bechuanaland, has been blamed for asking President Kruger to enter into the question of the cattle stealing which has taken place in Bechuana land from the Transvaal frontier since May last, without first consulting Sir Hercules Robinson, the High Commissioner; whether it has since been ascertained that Sir C. Warren, before addressing Mr. Kruger on the subject of the cattle stealing in question, had been urged by Sir H. Robinson to take that step; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will, by firm and conciliatory action, prevent any further conflict of authority in Bechuanaland?
§ MR. EVELYN ASHLEYI think, Sir, there is some public disadvantage in entering by way of Question and answer into small past misunderstandings between the two distinguished public servants who are now serving their 964 country in South Africa. But I may shortly say, as to the point raised in the right hon. Member's Question, that Sir Charles Warren, construing a former communication from the High Commissioner as an instruction to make certain formal representations to the Transvaal Government, acted on that view, and sent a direct communication to President Krüger, at Pretoria, in reference to cattle stealing in Bechuanaland. It was then pointed out to him that the High Commissioner should be the channel by which communications should be made to the Transvaal Executive in all matters involving policy and political considerations. The Government hoped, by their action, that they have cleared up any difference between these two gentlemen on the matter. As to any conflict of authority in Bechuanaland, there simply has not been any, the only authority recognized there being British authority.