HC Deb 23 March 1901 vol 91 cc991-2
MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottinghamshire, Rushcliffe)

I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether the Papers issued relating to the negotiations between Commandant Botha and Lord Kitchener contain all the information that has been received by His Majesty's Government as to the attitude of Commandant Botha throughout the negotiations; whether any specific objections were made by Commandant Botha to any of Lord Kitchener's terms: and, if so, what were their nature; and, whether any counter proposals were made by Commandant Botha; and, if so, in what terms.

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

No specific objections were, so far as we know, made by Commandant Botha to any of Lord Kitchener's terms, and no counter proposals were made by Commandant Botha. As regards the first question, the only information which we have, besides what has already been published, was contained in a private telegram of Lord Kitchener in which ho stated that in addition to the other matters which appeared on the Papers Commandant Botha had taken objection to Sir Alfred Milner.

MR. JOHN ELLIS

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War when the Telegram No. 4 in the Papers relating to recent negotiations between Commandant Botha and Lord Kitchener was received at the War Office; and whether any communication was made to Lord Kitchener between its receipt and the despatch of the Telegram No. 6 from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Sir A. Milner; and, if so, what were the terms of such communication.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, Guildford

The Telegram No. 4 from Lord Kitchener to me dated Pretoria, 1st March, 2.20 p.m., was not received till 4th March, owing to a mistake in South Africa. The only communication made to Lord Kitchener on this subject after despatch of Lord Kitchener's telegram, 1st March, and before 6th March, was a telegram from me asking Lord Kitchener what had. delayed his account of the interview.

*MR. CORRIE GRANT (Warwickshire, Rugby)

May I ask a question of the right hon. Gentleman as to letter No. 10. If he cannot tell me off-hand I will put down a question. March 20th is the date it purports to have been sent by Lord Kitchener to Mr. Brodrick, and I want to ask the date when that letter was sent by Lord Kitchener to Commandant Botha.

MR. J. CHAMBERLAIN

I have not got the Papers here, but if the hon. Member will put the question down for Monday, I will then give him the date.