MR. JOHN MORLKY (Montrose Burghs)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War for what length of time and under what conditions, after the expiry of his sentence, it is intended to detain Mr. Albert Cartwright in South Africa, on the ground that, if permitted to return to this country, he might disseminate anti-British opinions in Croat Britain.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. BRODRICK,) Surrey, GuildfordMr. Cartwright is detained under supervision. The period of such detention rests with the authorities in South Africa. If any sufficient undertaking can be given as to Mr. Cartwright's conduct in the event of his leaving South Africa, I will communicate with Lord Kitchener with a view to reconsidering his case.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman kindly inform us what kind of conduct and what sort of particulars he desires on the satisfaction of which depends the granting of the release?
§ MR. BRODRICKI should regard an undertaking to avoid the course of conduct which has brought Mr. Cartwright to his present situation as probably a satisfactory one.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEYWhat brought him into his present trouble was the publication of what was pronounced by a jury to be a seditions libel; Mr. Cartwright, I understand, will undertake not to publish another seditious libel; will that satisfy the right hon. Gentleman?
§ MR. BRODRICKThe question is a difficult one to deal with by question and answer, but obviously the authorities in South Africa, having had to condemn Mr. Cartwright for conduct which was of a very grave character from the point of view of the hostilities now proceeding, would desire to obtain some means of preventing the pursuance of the same action on the part of Mr. Cartwright, whether in South Africa or in this country.
MR. BRYN ROBERTS (Carnarvonshire, Eifion)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that The Times published the very same libel, and will he export to South Africa everybody who holds the same opinion as Mr. Cartwright?