§ MR. PICKERSGILL (Bethnal Green, S.W.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention has been specially drawn to page 121 of the Blue Book on Sierra Leone, just issued, from which it appears that in one of the recent trials, viz., Regina v. Caulker, three witnesses swore to the prisoner having killed a Mr. Roberts with his own hand, whereas it appeared, on looking up another murder case which had been held by the Deputy Judge, that Roberts was killed by an entirely different person, and so the prisoner was fortunately acquitted. And, whether, having regard to the kind of evidence produced at these trials, he will cause inquiry to be made into the circumstances of the prisoners who were convicted, with a view to the extension to them in suitable cases of the clemency of the Crown.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir, my attention was called to the statement which appears on page 121 of the Blue Book to which the hon. Member's question refers. The evidence of natives requires very careful sifting, and the judge who tried the persons charged with murder, and who was especially selected for the purpose, exercised very great care. I see no reason to direct any general inquiry into the cases which have been tried, but if in any special case circumstances should be found to afford grounds for further inquiry, it will, of course, be made.
§ MR. PICKERSGILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, having regard to the fact that Sir F. Cardew, Governor of Sierra Leone, brought a very serious impeachment against the newspaper press and the community of that colony—viz., that of inciting the natives of the Protectorate to resist payment of the hut tax, and that Her Majesty's Special Commissioner, Sir David Chalmers, has reported that Sir F. Cardew has entirely failed to establish this charge against the people of the colony which he administers, will he consider the advisability of transferring Sir F. Cardew to some other sphere of employment.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe question of the effect of certain actions of individuals and of articles in the local press is a matter of opinion on which Sir D. Chalmers and Sir F. Cardew are not in full agreement; but even if Sir F. Cardew has, as I hope is the case, attached undue importance to these matters, it is not, in my opinion, a reason for putting a slight on a distinguished and zealous officer who has administered the government of the colony in most difficult and trying circumstances.
§ MR. PICKERSGILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Sir David Chalmers recommended that the Insurgents' Temporary Detention Ordinance, 1898 (Sierra Leone), should be immediately repealed; and whether Commander Sir F. Cardew has admitted that this Ordinance could safely be repealed; and, if so, will he state why this course has not been taken.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe facts are as stated. No action has been taken under the Ordinance for some time past, and instructions will now be given for its repeal.
§ MR. PICKERSGILLI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether Bai Bureh has been deported to Accra; and, having regard to the fact that Commander Sir F. Cardew reported that Bai Bureh had fought us squarely and well, and recommended that he should be allowed to return to his people, will he state upon what grounds this recommendation has not been adopted.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINI have not lost sight of the recommendation referred to; but, upon consulting the local authorities and Sir F. Cardew as to the date at which Bai Bureh should be sent back, I came reluctantly to the conclusion that it would not be advisable to allow him to return at present, and that in the meantime it would be better for Bai Bureh that he should be removed to Accra, where more liberty could be given him than in Freetown.