§ DR. TANNER (Cork County, Mid)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many Cape Colonists of Dutch extraction being English subjects were arrested, and are lying in the gaols of Cape Colony and Natal, against whom no charge has been made, and who are denied the right of communicating with their legal advisers.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINSir Alfred Milner informs me that he has ascertained from the military authorities that all persons arrested are duly charged and their cases investigated as soon as possible, that the right of communicating with their legal advisers is not denied to any British subjects, and that every facility is given for their defence. The Governor of Natal informs me that in that colony eight colonists of Dutch extraction have been arrested under martial law and are now in gaol. Charges are pending against all of these except one, against whom no specific charge has yet been formulated. None have been denied the right of communication with legal advisers; on the contrary, full facilities have been given to such as desired it.