THE EARL OF DUNKAYENwished to ask the noble Marquess the Secretary of State for the Colonies a question of which he had given him private notice— namely, whether it was the ease that Sir Henry Loch, the High Commissioner of Cape Colony, or either of his colleagues, was that day to meet Mr. Krüger to discuss the questions relating to the affairs of Swaziland and Bechuanaland? and he further wished to ask the noble Marquess as to the position and status of Mr. Krüger. Accounts had appeared in the newspapers which seemed to throw some doubt on the position really occupied by Mr. Krüger. It had been stated that the Volksraad was making a scrutiny into the Presidential election which had lately taken place in the Transvaal, and it was, of course, important to know with whom our Commissioner was treating. He therefore wished to ask the noble Marquess whether Her Majesty's Government recognised Mr. Krüger as President of the Transvaal, and whether it was with him as President of the Transvaal that they were treating?
*THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Marquess of RIPON)My Lords, I have every reason to believe that Mr. Krüger has been elected President of the South African Republic. The scrutiny has, I believe, been concluded, and he has been declared duly elected President. Sir Henry Loch will, I understand, meet him to-day in Colesberg, of course, in his capacity, only, as President of the Republic. If Mr. Krüger has not been so elected, Sir Henry Loch will not enter into communications with him upon the subject on which he is to meet him The High Commissioner will meet him 542 at Colesberg in accordance with the undertaking given by the late Government to receive any communications which the Government of the South African Republic may have to make to Her Majesty's Government for their consideration with respect to the Swaziland Convention of 1890.