HC Deb 14 June 1900 vol 84 cc10-1
Mr. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire Rushcliffe)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Cape Ministry have forwarded through the Governor to Her Majesty's Government any Minute with respect to the treatment of those subjects of Her Majesty who have been arrested for political offences as distinguished from acts of war; and whether he will lay a copy of such Minute upon the Table.

The SECRETARY of STATE ROR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. Chamberlain,) Birmingham, W.

I have received a Minute from the Cape Ministers respecting the treatment of rebels in that colony to which apparently the hon. Member refers; though it docs not quite answer his description. Indeed, I do not see how "an act of war" could be predicated of a rebel. I am not prepared to lay a copy upon the Table at present, as the matter is still under discussion with the Cape Government.