§ MR. R. N. FOWLER (LORD MAYOR)asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he has received from Sir Charles Warren, Her Majesty's Special Commissioner in Bechuanaland, any detailed information concerning the cession of land which the great Chief Khame has made to His Excellency in Northern Bechuanaland, for purposes of English settlement; and, if so, will he inform the House of the nature and extent of the territory thus ceded?
THE SECRETARYYes; information has been received by telegram from 119 Sir Charles Warren, and forwarded by Sir Hercules Robinson on May 27, to the effect that an offer of territory has been made by the Chief Khame. This Chief states that his territory is bounded on the north by the River Zambesi; east by Gwaikei, Mahobi, and Tolwey (? Talo) River, which runs into the Limpopo, 29deg. 40min. E.; west, by Mobabi, Tamalulsea River, and Nalcheri, a district comprising over 100,000 square miles. He proposes to retain for tribal use territory round Shoshong comprising about 2,000 square miles, and offers the rest to England for English settlers, who are, with his own people, to defend the country from filibusters. He objects to his territory being cut in two by latitude 22deg., which is the Northern boundary of the Protectorate, and wishes it taken right up to the Zambesi (say, latitude 18deg.) I am forced to say that these boundaries are not undisputed. They would, in my opinion, require very careful examination before they could be accepted as a basis for any negotiation, should such take place; and as a matter of caution I must not admit, as implied in my right hon. Friend's Question, that the territory above referred to has been actually "ceded," though the offer has thus been intimated. Sir Charles Warren describes the country as "magnificent for cattle farming and agriculture." It is about 600 to 800 miles from Kimberley, the nearest market at present. This information comes by telegram, and I await further details.