THE EARL OF CARNARVON, referring to the Papers recently laid on the Table with reference to South Africa, said, that in a despatch dated the 9th of December there was something which apparently required explanation, allusions being made to expressed opinions of Sir Hercules Robinson which did not therein occur, and he should be glad if the noble Earl the Secretary of State for the Colonies could give it?
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY, in reply, said, the fact of the matter was that the words at the end of the despatch referred to a confidential communication which could not be included in the Papers. The whole, however, need not have been omitted, and he would read an extract from it which might be given, 707 and which conveyed the views of Sir Hercules Robinson, and he would afterwards lay it on the Table. Sir Hercules Robinson said—
If Her Majesty's Government feel a difficulty in promising beforehand that they will not, under any circumstances, interfere, I would advise that, instead of a direct answer to the inquiry, Ministers be informed as follows:—'That, whatever have been the views of Her Majesty's Government as to the origin of the war, they look upon the award accepted by both sides and approved of by Her Majesty's Government as a fresh starting point, and that, if the Colonial Government finds it necessary to proceed to extreme measures with Masupha to enforce the award, the colony may rely on the moral support, and, if need be, the assistance of the Imperial Government in securing for the loyals fullest measures of justice.' I think it possible that, if Masupha found either that the colony was free to deal with him as it pleased, or that it had the countenance and support of the Imperial Government in insisting upon the rights of loyals being respected, he would give in. The belief that the Colonial and Imperial Governments are not in accord upon the matter is, I imagine, in a great measure at the bottom of the difficulty."—(Date, December 30, 1881.)He would take that opportunity of reading a telegram he had received that morning upon the subject of the disturbances on the North-western Frontier. In answer to an inquiry, Sir Hercules Robinson telegraphed—12th. Yours, 11th. On the 27th of February Rutherford, in the absence of Hudson, reported as follows:—'General Joubert, with 60 mounted police, left some days ago to coerce Skalafyn, a Caffre chief residing within Transvaal territory on the Western border, who had given trouble and raised wall defences. Meanwhile, Skalafyn had come to Pretoria by another route and given explanation to the Government which had led to instructions being sent after Joubert to stay proceedings, subject to Skalafyn paying expenses of expedition, which he had promised to do. There had been extensive commandeering in Potchefstroom, and a large number had left the district to follow Joubert; but it is understood all will be recalled.' On the 6th of March Rutherford reported having received on the 3rd a letter from Government, stating that affairs on the West border continued unchanged; within Transvaal line all quiet, but outside, daily fighting and bloodshed, and Government apprehend conflict will extend and last long.The telegram also contained some observations on the possible mode of dealing with the difficulty which it would be premature to mention at present; but he might state that Sir Hercules Robinson added, on his own part, that the Transvaal Government seemed doing what they could to maintain the neutrality of their territory.
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYsaid, he did not apprehend there was any "Transvaal expedition;" but there had been a demonstration made against a Native Chief within the Transvaal Frontier. This, he imagined, had given rise to the statement that large commandeering had taken place, which meant, of course, an official assembling of troops.