§ MR. JAMES ROCHE (Kerry, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the South African Republic has yet presented to Her Majesty's Government or Her representative at Pretoria their claim for an indemnity for the late raid; if so, whether he is prepared to state the amount of such claim and from whom it is demanded.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.I have received the following telegram from the High Commissioner:
17 February No. 2. Following telegram received from British Agent in the South African Republic. (Begins.) 16 February. I have just received note from this Government asking to send to your Excellency enclosed bill of indemnity to be paid by Her Majesty's Government or to be caused to be paid by them for raid by Dr. Jameson and British South Africa Company's troops. The amount claimed falls under two heads—first, material damage, total of claim £677,938 3s. 3d.—[laughter]—second, moral or intellectual damage, total of claim, £1,000,000. Government desires to observe that above claim does not include legitimate claims which may be demanded by private persons on account of proceeding of Dr. Jameson and his troops. I am sending you note by post.
§ MR. CHAMBERLAINYes; I believe it is. There is a little ambiguity in the telegram. I am not quite certain. Yes, I think the moral and intellectual damage is valued at a million separately. But it might be that it is only £322,061 16s. 9d.—[laughter]—in order 727 to make up the round million when coupled with the material damage. I am not quite certain, but I believe it is the first of these interpretations.