THE EARL OF CARNARVONI wish to ask the noble Earl opposite, the Secretary of State for the Colonies, a Question of which I have given him private 782 Notice. I have seen in a London newspaper a telegram, dated Newcastle, Tuesday, in which it is stated that—
The Commission has arrived at a very important decision with reference to the non-delivery of the Potchefstroom guns. They have determined that until the guns are surrendered they will not enter the Transvaal.I should like to know, Whether that statement is correct; and, if so, whether it will involve any suspension in the business which the Commission has to transact? It is also reported that—There is news from Pretoria that commandeering on an extensive scale is going on there for war against the Native chief Montsuine, who remained loyal to us. The natives near Pretoria are coming in there in numbers to escape being commandeered by the Boers.If this be true, the fact is incompatible with the supposition that the Boer Leaders are enforcing their decisions upon their followers; and if such a state of things were allowed to continue, it may result in fatal consequences. I will not trouble the House at present with any further comments on these two statements, except to observe that they are statements of extreme gravity.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYMy Lords, it was decided a month ago that for various reasons, and especially the absence of telegraphic communication with the Transvaal, the Commission should sit at Newcastle, in Natal, and we have not heard of any proposal to change the place of meeting. The most recent intelligence of any disputes between the Boors and Native tribes was received on the 12th instant, when Sir Evelyn Wood reported that Major Buller and Mr. Joubert were going to the Keete Award territory to part the Boers and the tribe of Montsia, a Bechuana Chief. It is not stated that the Boers were commandeering Natives.