§ * MR. HENRY J. WILSON (Yorkshire, W.R., Holmfirth)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether non-combatant Boers are being compelled to travel on trains running between Pretoria and Pietersberg, or on any other lines in South Africa; and if so, which; and if Boers are being so compelled, will he state whether they are prisoners of war, or are those who have taken no part in the war. Whether such compulsion is in accordance with the rules laid down in the War Office Manual for the treatment of non-combatants; and whether he will order the practice to be discontinued.
§ MR. BRODRICKI have no information to show that Lord Kitchener has found it necessary of late to take measures of the character mentioned. Measures of this kind are a legitimate precaution when necessary, and are in no way contrary to the practice of civilised warfare. I am not prepared to issue the orders proposed.
§ * MR. HENRY J. WILSONWill the right hon. Gentleman answer that part of the Question which asks whether such compulsion is in accordance with the rules laid down in the War Office Manual for the treatment of non-combatants?
§ MR. BRODRICKI cannot answer that off-hand. Such compulsion is not outside the rules of civilised warfare.