§ MR. MARKHAMI beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he gave instructions that certain 637 articles from the Johannesburg Star, enclosed in Lord Milner's despatch to him of 26th April, 1899, should not be published, and why in this particular instance these articles were not published but merely referred to on page 232 of C. 9345 as not reprinted; whether Lord Milner's cable despatch of 5th May, 1899, was part taken from the above articles, in particular the paragraph alleging that the Uitlanders were helots under Boer rule.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The articles were not considered of sufficient public interest to print in full. The answer to the second Question is in the negative.
§ MR. MARKHAMIf they were not edited by him, his Department is responsible, and I would ask who gave instructions that they should not be published? It is a matter of great interest.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe hon. Member asked me whether I gave instructions. No, I did not. I do not read all the articles that come to the Colonial Office, and I gave no personal instruction in the matter. The revising of articles, papers, and despatches for publication is done, in the first instance, in the office by permanent officials.
§ MR. MARKHAMI will put a further Question, whether the despatch contained part of an article written by Mr. Monypenny.
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINNo, Sir; I have already answered that in the negative.