§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether, on the 10th February, 1900, Major O'Meara, military censor, during the siege of Kimberley, sent a letter to the editor of the Diamond Fields Advertiser, a paper under the control of Mr. Rhodes, apprising the editor that he had on two occasions printed articles on the military situation injurious to the interest of the Army and defence of the town, and had committed 434 serious offences dealt with by the Army Act, and informing the editor that proofs of the Diamond Fields Advertiser must be submitted to the censor before publication; whether he is aware that, in consequence of this letter, the publication of the Diamond Fields Advertiser was suspended; whether, after the raising of the siege of Kimberley, Mr. Rhodes, in the presence of General French and of Colonel Kekewich, took on himself the responsibility of these articles, and ordered Colonel Kekewich out of his house when this interview took place; and what notice, if any, is it intended to take of this matter.
§ MR. WYNDHAMNo official information of the matters referred to in the question has reached the War Office. If any action is necessary in the matter, the Secretary of State has no doubt that Lord Roberts will take it.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLWill an inquiry be made into these allegations?
§ MR WYNDHAMThe Secretary of State has the fullest confidence in the discretion of Lord Roberts, and does not think it necessary that his action should be constantly aided by suggestions from home.