DR. CAMERONasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether his attention has been called to the following paragraph contained in a telegraphic despatch dated Mandalay, January 19th, published in The Times of the 21st inst.:—
The ghastly scenes which constantly recur in executions carried out by the Provost Marshal constitute grave public scandals. The Provost Marshal, who is an ardent amateur photographer, is desirous of securing views of the persons executed at the precise moment when they are struck by the bullets. To secure this result, after the orders, 'Ready,' 'Present,' have been given to the firing party, the Provost Marshal fixes his camera on the prisoners, who at times are kept waiting for some minutes in that position. The officer commanding the firing party is then directed by the Provost Marshal to give the order to fire at the moment when ho exposes his plate;and, whether in view of The Times correspondent's declaration thatSo far no satisfactory negatives having been obtained the experiments are likely to be continued,he will telegraph to the authorities in India calling their attention to the allegation with a view, if it be found to be true, to the immediate suppression of the practice and the prosecution of the Provost Marshal?
MR. JUSTIN HUNTLY M'CARTHYasked the Secretary of State for War, If there is any truth in the following statement from The Times of January 21st, respecting certain executions in Burmah:—
The ghastly scenes which constantly recur in executions carried out by the Provost Marshal constitute grave public scandals, the Provost Marshal, who is an ardent amateur photographer, is desirous of securing views of the persons executed at the precise moment when they are struck by the bullets. To secure the result, after the orders, 'Ready,' 'Present,' have been given to the firing party, the Provost Marshal fixes his camera on the prisoners, who at times are kept waiting for some minutes in that position. The officer commanding the firing party is then directed by the Provost Marshal to give the order to fire at the moment when he exposes his plate;and, if so, whether the Government have taken or intend to take any action in the matter?
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLThere is an urgent question arising out of this —namely, whether at the present time questions of life and death in Upper Burmah are under the control of the 189 Chief Civil Authority (Mr. Bernard) or whether the military authorities are allowed to exercise any sort of uncontrolled martial law?
§ THE SECBETABY OF STATE (Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL)I am not quite certain whether the Civil Authorities in Upper Burmah have hitherto superseded the Military Authorities; but when Mr. Bernard went up to Mandalay, in the absence of General Prendergast, on the expedition to Bhamo, I was then under the impression that Civil government had recommenced, in Mandalay at any rate. But since Mr. Bernard's departure from Mandalay and General Prendergast's return, I am not quite sure what would be the precise relation between the Civil Authorities and the Military Authorities. If the hon. Member for Kirkcaldy (Sir George Campbell) will repeat the Question on Monday I will try to ascertain in the meantime. In reply to the hon. Members for Glasgow and Newry, I may say I am not surprised that both hon. Members should have thought it their duty to put Questions on the very grave and startling information which for two days running has been given to the public by The Times Correspondent at Mandalay. I cannot bring myself to believe that any officer wearing the Queen's uniform would have allowed himself to perpetrate actions which really would have disgraced the officers of King Theebaw. I cannot bring myself to believe that there is any portion of truth in this announcement; but when the announcement of the proceedings of the Provost Marshal at Mandalay appeared in The Times of to-day, I thought it my duty to telegraph to the Viceroy to ascertain the exact foundation for these serious allegations. And I did more than that—I departed, I believe, from the established practice. In order that no time might be lost, I sent a similar telegram direct to the Chief Commissioner at Mandalay. I trust most earnestly that it may turn out that these allegations are not well founded; but I have instructed the Chief Commissioner at Mandalay, on my own authority, that if, in any degree, these allegations are true, the gravest and most immediate action must be taken against the officer concerned.