HC Deb 07 June 1901 vol 94 cc1318-9
MR. LABOUCHERE

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether Lord Kitchener has a free hand to enter into negotiations with General Botha in regard to the conditions on which the Transvaalers and the Orange Staters might be prepared to agree to these States entering the area of the British Empire, or whether the sole terms on which we are ready to cease hostilities is the unconditional surrender of the Boer forces in the field and their deprivation of independence.

MR. BRODRICK

No instructions have been given which would prevent Lord Kitchener from receiving proposals which he would transmit at once for the instructions of His Majesty's Government, but in no case would either Lord Kitchener or His Majesty's Government consent to discuss the question of independence.

MR. LABOUCHERE

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether any despatches have been received from Lord Kitchener explaining more fully than in his telegrams his negotiations with General Botha; and, if so, whether he will lay them upon the Table of the House.

MR. BRODRICK

No despatches have been received from Lord Kitchener except that which has been laid on the Table of the House. I understand a further despatch is on the way.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the meeting of General Botha and Lord Kitchener on 28th February took place at the request of Lord Kitchener.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.

I have to refer the hon. Member to the statement of Lord Kitchener on page 1 of Cd. 528, to the effect that Mrs. Botha carried a verbal message that if Commandant Botha desired it Lord Kitchener would meet him as to means of ending the war on the express understanding that he would not do so if the question of independence were to be discussed in any way.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, in answer to a similar question put before, he told me—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! It is not in order to discuss an answer to a previous question.

MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)

Did Lord Kitchener ask Mrs. Botha to arrange this interview?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

No.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Are not the Government prepared to discuss the granting to the Orange State and the Transvaal even such independence as is possessed by Canada and Australia?

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

Certainly not at the present time.