§ SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies what steps Her Majesty's Government have taken to secure the punishment of the Boers, who cruelly murdered Trooper Black, then a prisoner and unarmed, at Blauwberg, early in January of this year?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI caused special inquiry to be made as to the shooting of this man, whose identity is still in doubt. The evidence before me—which I am not at liberty to publish—shows that the prisoner was shot while attempting to escape. I am advised that this is in accordance with the 865 customs of war, and affords no ground for a representation to the Government of the South African Republic.
§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTWill the right hon. Gentleman lay what Papers he can in regard to this case on the Table? [Cries of "Order, order!"] Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that this statement as to the attempted escape of the trooper is denied on very strong evidence?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINIt all depends on what is strong evidence. [Laughter.] Most things in South Africa are both asserted and denied— [laughter]—but as I have already said, I cannot publish the Papers, because they involve confidential evidence, the publication of which would be objected to by the persons who gave it, and might possibly bring them into trouble.