HC Deb 28 April 1896 vol 40 cc17-8
MR. VICTOR CAVENDISH (Derbyshire, W.)

I desire to ask ray right hon. Friend whether he has received any information as to the result of the recent trial at Pretoria?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

Yes. I have received a telegram—a private telegram, but I have no doubt as to its accuracy, although it does not come from Sir Hercules Robinson. It is to the effect that the five leaders of the Reform Committee have been condemned to death. Upon that information the Government have telegraphed to Sir Hercules Robinson as follows:— Communicate the following message to President Kruger:—'Her Majesty's Government have just learned that sentence of death has been passed on the chief leaders of the Reform Committee. They can feel no doubt that your Honour will commute this sentence, and they have assured Parliament of their conviction that this is your Honour's intention.'

MR. GALLOWAY

May I ask whether the law of the Transvaal Republic does not provide that the penalty for an offence of this kind is confiscation of all goods and banishment from the State for life.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

Well, Sir, that is a question which I am afraid I cannot answer fully; but it has always been doubtful whether these gentlemen would be tried under the Statute law of the Transvaal Republic or under the Roman-Dutch law. Under the Roman-Dutch law they could be sentenced to death.

MR. J. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)

With regard to the telegram, I gather that the names were not given. May I ask if the right hon. Gentleman can give the names of the five members of the Reform Committee sentenced?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

The five leaders of the insurrection were Colonel Rhodes, Mr. Phillips, Mr. George Farrer, Mr. Hammond Hay, an American, and a fifth—whose name, I am sorry to say, has escaped me for the moment.

An HON. MEMBER

Leonard. (Cries of "No.")

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

No.

MR. BRYNMOR JONES (Swansea District)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the five persons who have pleaded guilty are British subjects?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I have said that four of them are British subjects, and the fifth is an American.