§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether his attention has been called to a statement in the Critic of Johannesburg of 9th August; and whether the Boers are endeavouring to erect forts throughout Swaziland, and to establish Boer Courts in connection with these forts, contrary to the promise of Generals Joubert and Greet to the King in May last, that there should be only one Court at Bremersdorp, and for whites alone; whether the Swazi King has informed the Boer Administrator and Her Majesty's Representative that he will not permit the forts to be erected; and, what steps this Government propose to take to avert bloodshed?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. JOSEPH CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.I am informed that the Boers have established Courts in Swaziland; but I have no information whatever as to the establishment of forts. The Swazi King did, in the first instance, make some representations in regard to these Courts, but he has withdrawn his objection, and I do not anticipate any more difficulty.