§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Swazis have agreed to accept Boer administration; and whether any Boer armed force has entered Swaziland?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONSir H. Loch has telegraphed a summary of the proceedings which took place at the meeting of the South African Republican Commission with the Swazi King, Queens, and a large number of Swazis. All those attending were unarmed. General Joubert, taking Ubunu by the hand, said that he recognised him on behalf of the South African Republic as paramount chief. General satisfaction was expressed at this statement. The Swazis requested permission for "killing off, which was, of course, refused. The meeting was very orderly. Immediately after the meeting the Generals Joubert and Smit started on their return journey to the Transvaal. No Boer armed force, except the escort accompanying the generals, has entered Swaziland.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI wish to know whether the Swazis have agreed to accept the Boer administration, and whether the Swazi King was informed of the meaning of the statement made to him by the Boer generals?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI take it for granted that what was said by General Joubert was translated into Swazi. That would be the only way of conducting such proceedings. As regards the question, I have to say that it is apparent the Swazis have peaceably accepted the administration of the South African Republic.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTCan the hon. Member state whether the Boers have initiated or set up any form of direct administration in Swaziland, or whether the relations between the Swazis and the Boers are confined to the simple statement of the Boer representative that, the new King was their captain-general?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONNo. The position, as I understand, is this: A special Commission of Generals Joubert and Smit was sent there to see the King, and to recognise him as paramount 1555 chief. Besides, there is a Transvaal administrator in the country, whose name was submitted to us, and we approved it. There is also a British Consul, Mr. Stuart; therefore, the Boer administration is practically existing in Swaziland.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI wish to know whether the hon. Member has been directly informed by Her Majesty's representative in Swaziland that the Swazis have recognised the administration of Mr. Krogh, or of whomever has been named Boer agent in Swaziland?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONI must ask notice of the question.
§ MR. C. R. DISRAELI (Cheshire, Altrincham)Can the hon. Gentleman give the date of that communication?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONIt was received yesterday.
§ MR. DISRAELIIs it true that those communications are under the control of the Boers?
§ MR. SYDNEY BUXTONThat has been stated; but the statement is absolutely untrue.
§ MR. DISRAELIThen why cannot you get more information?
§ No answer was given.