§ MAJOR JAMESONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what Statutes or Treaties regulate the question of extradition between the Cape Government and the Transvaal?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThere appears to be no treaty on the subject; but the matter is regulated by a Cape statute, No. 22 of 1882, and by a law of the South African Republic, which, I think, is dated 1887. The hon. and gallant Member will be shown these laws if he calls at the Colonial Office.
§ MR. STUART WORTLEY (Sheffield, Hallam)May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Cape statute to which he refers makes any exception in favour of political offences?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINWell, Sir, for greater certainty, I would rather that notice of the question should be given, but I think not.
§ MAJOR JAMESONMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is aware that two British subjects were last January arrested on a charge of high treason under the Extradition Act of 1882, in Cape Colony?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINnodded assent.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he can state on what date application was made by the German Government to the Portuguese Government for permission to land German forces at Delagoa Bay, and to traverse Portuguese territory in order to reach the Transvaal?
MR. CURZONHer Majesty's Government are not in a position to furnish any information with respect to communications that are alleged to have passed between the German and Portuguese Governments.
§ SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he will make representations to the Boer Government in order to secure the release on bail of the British Uitlander leaders, who have now been confined in the crowded and insanitary gaol at Pretoria for over a month.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThere are only three leaders now in gaol, and the private secretary of one of them. They are reported, in a telegram which I have already published in the Press, to be as comfortable as circumstances will permit, to be visited at least three times a week by the British Agent, and 226 to be obtaining their meals from the club. [Laughter.] A fourth leader, Mr. Hammond, was released on the 5th inst. on grounds of health, and I hope that if any such ground for release arises in the case of the others the Transvaal Government will deal with it on the same principles. I shall consider whether I should be now justified in taking the action suggested by the hon. Member, but in the meantime I have asked that each of the four should have a separate cell.