HL Deb 09 February 1897 vol 46 cc1-2
LORD LOCH

I wish to ask the noble Earl, the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, a question of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether he has observed in the Daily Telegraph of February 1 a telegram from Pretoria stating that President Kruger had wished the correspondent of that paper to cable his views to the effect that— it was quite time Mr. Chamberlain qualified his personal accusation against him, which was the non-fulfilment of the promises made to the Uitlanders. Let the undertakings which had not been carried out be named; and whether any notice has been taken of this singular message?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The EARL of SELBORNE)

In reply to the question of the noble Lord, I have to say that the telegram mentioned by the noble Lord did not escape the notice of Mr. Chamberlain, and he inquired of the President, through Lord Rosmead, asking whether he had really expressed this wish. I am able to take this opportunity of saying that President Kruger has replied:— There must be a mistake. I can say that I am not in the habit of making observations on subjects of the nature of those treated of in your telegram through such a channel as that mentioned, and that I have not done so in this instance.

[Cheers.]