§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the Secretary for War a question of which I have given private notice, relating to a speech delivered by General Ian Hamilton, at Hythe, in reference to South African affairs, in which he advocates the active prosecution of the war, and refers to the peace envoys from Cape Colony now in this country, pointing out that the shooting of the burgher envoys who waited on De Wet was far more likely to be successful in making and keeping an empire than the action of the people in certain places of Eng and, who have received the envoys from the Cape with open arm; and behind the back of the Commander-in-Chief; whether it is desirable that officers on active service should make speeches upon questions of public policy, such as the continuation of the war; and whether in view of the fact that the reference to the Boer envoys in this country may be interpreted—
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member is now arguing the question.
§ MR. MALCOLM (Suffolk, Stowmarket)Will not this apply also to. Colonel Ivor Herbert, who is taking an active part in a certain election contest now proceeding.
§ MR. BRODRICKI am afraid the hon. Gentleman's private notice has not reached me. I was at the War Office before I came here, but I have not seen it, and I have not seen any full report of the speech to which he alludes.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI will put the question on Monday next Meanwhile, I may say that a report of the speech appears in to-day's Standard.