HC Deb 01 April 1901 vol 92 c331
SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether His Majesty's Government have decided to accept the petition of the Swazi Queen Regent and Council for the protection of the British Government.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

Sir Alfred Milner has been asked to inform the Swazi Queen that the Swazis should keep quiet as long as the war lasts and behave peacefully, and that at the end of the war it will be remembered that they desire to live under British protection.

SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

Is that answer to be taken as a promise to take the Swazis under protection?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

The words have been carefully chosen, and I cannot add to them.