THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYasked the noble Earl the Secretary for the Colonies, Whether he has any information to communicate to the House as to the reported annexation of the Transvaal Territory by Sir Theophilus Shepstone?
THE EARL OF CARNARVONMy Lords, I am not surprised the noble Earl should have asked for some information on this subject. So far as my official information or any official announcement is concerned, I have no information to give your to Lordships; but I have received a telegram from Sir Bartle Frere at Kimberley, which leaves no doubt whatever that the Transvaal has passed under British protection. The 354 telegram states that news arrived there on the 16th instant to the effect that on the 22nd of March Sir Theophilus Shepstone annexed the Transvaal territory to the British dominions, and that he had abolished the war tax, and that no opposition was expected to the measure. According to the Press telegrams the news had been received with general satisfaction from Kimberley to Victoria. This is not the time to go into explanations; but I may say this—that in consequence of what the Correspondence showed to be occurring I had for some time feared that this event would come to pass. I have repeatedly during the last 12 months given most serious warnings, if you will; encouragement, if you will; and promise of support, if you will—but all in vain. Recently the situation became, I may say, perfectly deplorable. Not only had the Transvaal country lapsed into a chronic state of anarchy in which its Government was incapable of fulfilling the duties of the government of a civilized country, either to its own subjects or its neighbours, but the country itself was split up in factions: the peace patched up with the Native Chiefs turned out to be a delusion, and—what constitutes the greatest danger—the Zulu King, who can command an army of 20,000 or 30,000 Kaffirs, has shown undoubted signs of hostility, and made a movement on the borders. I can only say that in those circumstances the danger seemed to be —and is now, perhaps—very serious for all parties. I am satisfied that it has been owing to the great influence of Sir Theophilus Shepstone that peace has been preserved up to this time. If this news be true—if annexation has been resorted to—I have little doubt it has been as a measure of self-preservation, so far as we are concerned, far more than anything else. It is stated that there has been a Protest from President Burgers; but I have reason to think that it is a Protest of the most formal character, because certainly a very large proportion indeed of the community of Transvaal, and that representing the intelligence, wealth, and respectability of the country, has, for some time past, in presence of those serious dangers, desired the incorporation of their territory with the British dominions. I need hardly say that I am not surprised at what has occurred. I 355 regret it; but, at the same time, I regard it as inevitable. Your Lordships will not expect me to express any precise opinion as to the grounds on which Sir Theophilus Shepstone has taken the step. This seems to me to be peculiarly a case in which we are bound to withhold an opinion until we have some knowledge of the particular circumstances—which I expect to receive before long. At the same time, it would be unfair to Sir Theophilus Shepstone if for one moment I allowed the impression to go abroad that I thought he was wanting in judgment and discretion in the step he has taken. My impression is that he carried forbearance to the last point, and that it was only the extreme emergency of the situation, and the conviction that the peace and the lives of the whole of the White inhabitants of that part of South Africa were involved induced him to adopt the measures he is reported to have taken. When I receive the details of the measures, I will take the earliest opportunity of laying before Parliament the Papers containing that information.