HC Deb 07 November 1893 vol 18 cc344-6
CAPTAIN NORTON (Newington, W.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the intention of the Government to revoke the Charter granted to the British South Africa Company; whether the Government purpose occupying Matabeleland and assuming responsibility for the direction of affairs in that country; and whether the Government intend to institute some form of inquiry which will give full publicity to the cause of recent events in South Africa?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, Poplar

The answer to the first question is in the negative. As regards the last question, I do not quite understand its meaning. The causes of the hostilities now unhappily proceeding are set out in the Blue Book circulated last night. As regards the second question, as I informed my hon. Friend yesterday, I am not yet in a position to make a statement on the subject of the future of Matabeleland.

* MR. J. E. ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Colonial Office has received any further explanation of the circumstances under which the two Envoys from Lobengula were killed after they had entered Colonel Goold-Adams' camp on 18th October than the details in Sir H. Loch's telegram, No. 57 of South African Papers, C.7,196; and, if so, whether he will give it to the House; and whether it is known if the letter respecting the death of those two Indunas from Sir H. Loch to Lobengula (given in the same telegram) reached the Matabele King; and, if so, when?

MR. S. BUXTON

On learning of the most lamentable death of the two Indunas, Sir H. Loch immediately ordered the strictest investigation into the circumstances. There has not yet been time for us to receive the detailed Report. We do not know whether the letter referred to in the second paragraph of the question ever reached Lobengula; it probably did not. Nor do we know whether Lobengula ever received Sir H. Loch's letter of October 1, and whether it was in response to that letter that the Indunas were sent.

* MR. J. E. ELLIS

Will the Secretary of State endeavour to get the information as soon as possible, having regard to the great importance attached by Sir Henry Loch to this incident, as shown by his words— I fear that the unfortunate death of the two Indunas may greatly intensify feeling, and lead to very determined resistance

MR. S. BUXTON

As soon as we get information I shall communicate it to the House.

MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has observed the telegrams in which it is stated that Mr. Rhodes computes the present loss of the Matabeles in killed and wounded at 3,000; and whether he can say what has become of the wounded; if they are cared for by the victors, and, if so, where?

MR. S. BUXTON

The accounts of the hostilities in our possession are as yet of a most meagre description, and do not enable me to answer the hon. Gentleman's question. I trust it may be found that the number of killed and wounded has been over-estimated.