HC Deb 05 February 1900 vol 78 cc568-9
COLONEL PRYCE-JONES (Montgomery Boroughs)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the following item in the list of deaths published on Tuesday last, the 30th ultimo: M'LACHLAN.—On Christmas Day, shot in the Market Square, Harrismith, Orange Free State, for refusing to fight against his own countrymen, John M'Lachlan, junior, aged 30, eldest son of John M'Lachlan, of Wandsworth, and grandson of the late John M'Lachlan, of Lambeth"; whether two other Englishmen were shot on the same Christmas Day, at the same time and in the same place and on the same charge; and whether Her Majesty's Government are taking any and what steps in respect of this matter, and for the protection of British subjects resident on British soil in the district in Cape Colony named Barkly West, commandeered by the Boers, from a like fate.

MR. BRYN ROBERTS (Carnarvonshire, Eifion)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, may I ask if he has any information that these men were burghers of the Orange Free State, and whether they were not shot for refusing to fight for their country against the enemies of their country?

COLONEL MILWARD (Stratford-upon-Avon)

I beg at the same time to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is able to confirm the information received in this country that John M'Lachlan, junior, and two other British subjects were shot in the Market Square, Harrismith, upon Christmas Day last, for refusing to fight against this country; and whether there were any circumstances tending to exonerate the authorities of the Orange Free State in this matter.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I am asked by the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to reply to the question of the hon. and gallant Member for the Montgomery Boroughs, and I shall answer at the same time the question addressed to me by the hon. Member for the Stratford-on-Avon Division of Warwickshire. I have made inquiry by telegraph, and I have received a telegram from the Governor of Natal, dated yesterday, to the following effect:—"Report appeared in the press here some time ago and was subsequently contradicted. I know of no foundation for report, but am trying to obtain information through Harrismith refugees in Natal if any can be found. I am trying to ascertain on what authority contradiction was based." The answer to the third part of the question of the hon. Member for Montgomery Boroughs is that Her Majesty's Ambassador at Washington has been instructed by telegraph to ask the United States Government to make inquiries into the matter through their consul at Pretoria.

MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

As the Government have telegraphed to Natal with regard to the death of Englishmen, does the right hon. Gentleman see any objection to making a similar inquiry with regard to the death of Irishmen as to which we have been unable to obtain any satisfaction from the War Office?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I understand that that concerns the War Office and not the Colonial Office.

MR. T. M. HEALY

How is it the War Office refuses while the right hon. Gentleman is willing to inquire?

[No answer was given.]