HC Deb 14 April 1902 vol 106 cc128-9
MR. BRYN ROBERTS (Carnarvonshire, Eifion)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that letters have been received in this country from Mr. D. I. De Wet, written from the military camp, Matjesfontein, showing that he is imprisoned there, and that he states in one. dated 11th February, 1902, that in another five days it would be five months since he had been away and placed in that camp; whether he is aware that Mr. Du Plessis was deported last summer to Port Alfred; and, seeing that these Gentlemen are British subjects, and were peace delegates to England from the Graaf Reinet Congress, whether he can state the reason of their confinement, and whether they have been tried for any offence.

LORD STANLEY

Mr. D. I. De Wet has been detained in the military camp at Matjesfontein since 18th September for using seditious language and for furnishing rebels with information. Mr. P. L. Du Plessis was ordered to reside at Port Alfred in July last for omitting to report that rebellion was brewing in his ward; he admitted having used his influence against the formation of the district mounted troops. It appears that my reference to South Africa on this Question was previously misunderstood, and that the answer that these persons had not been interfered with had reference to their mission to England. The offences mentioned above were subsequent to their return and caused action to be taken.

MR. BRYN ROBERTS

Have the charges on which they are imprisoned been communicated to them, because their letters say they are not aware of them?

LORD STANLEY

I do not know what may have been stated in letters.

MR. BRYN ROBERTS

That is not my Question. I ask whether the charges on which these gentlemen are imprisoned have been communicated to them, and I ask this because they themselves say they do not know the charges.

LORD STANLEY

I cannot say.

MR. BRYN ROBERTS

I must further ask the noble Lord whether, seeing that these gentlemen are men of consideration—[Laughter]—certainly as worthy of consideration as any Member sitting on the opposite side of this House—whether he will make inquiries whether they have been furnished with the charges against them.

LORD STANLEY

No, Sir. My right hon. friend has implicit confidence in Lord Kitchener's discretion, and is not prepared to interfere with it.