§ MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON (Dundee)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he has asked or received from Mr. Cecil Rhodes any explanation with respect to the mention 509 of Mr. Rhodes' name in the cipher telegrams recently published, and to the imputations which have been founded thereon of Mr. Rhodes' complicity in the conspiracy against the South African Republic?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The answer to both questions is in the negative.
§ MR. ROBERTSONThe right hon. Gentleman himself, four weeks ago, made certain imputations upon Mr. Rhodes—
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINWhat imputations?
§ MR. ROBERTSONThe imputations founded on these telegrams, that he knew and approved of proceedings—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! A question as to something that happened in a Debate on a previous day is not in order.
§ MR. ROBERTSONNo, Sir; but what I propose to ask is whether the right hon. Gentleman has caused these statements with reference to Mr. Rhodes to be communicated to him, or whether Mr. Rhodes of his own accord has obtained the information and has himself volunteered any explanation?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI have had no communication whatever with Mr. Rhodes.