HL Deb 08 February 1900 vol 78 cc900-1
THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWN

My Lords, I rise to ask whether it is true, as reported in the newspapers, that after the battle of Spion Kop wounded Uitlanders and Colonial soldiers were shot by the Boers on the field of battle. On Monday last, a telegram from Durban appeared in several of the newspapers to this effect, and with your Lordships' permission I will read the version of the telegram which appeared in the Standard. It was as follows— The wounded soldiers here (Durban) say that the Boers showed a marked vindictiveness against the colonial troops during the fighting at Spien Kop, even going so far as to kill, in cold blood, numbers of their wounded. This barbarous conduct accounts, it is said, for the exceedingly heavy losses sustained by Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry and the Imperial Light Infantry. Some of the Regulars even gave their regimental badges to their colonial comrades, in order to save their lives, should they happen to be left on the field. Of course, it is possible, and I hope it is the fact, that the statement is not well founded, but if is well founded a very barbarous crime has been committed. We must remember who these colonials and Uitlanders are. The two corps which have been mentioned—Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry and the Imperial Light Infantry—are mainly composed of Natalians and Cape Colonists, whose country has been invaded and whose property has been looted, and they have as good a right, and, indeed, a much better right to fight in defence of their country than the Boers have to invade it. As I say, I hope the statement I have quoted is not correct. One is glad to think that some of the statements reflecting upon the Boers have been found, on further examination, to be inaccurate; on the other hand, some of the statements to their prejudice, such, for instance, as wanton looting of property in Natal and compelling Englishmen resident in the Free State to fight against this country, are, unfortunately, only too true. I wish to ask the noble Marquess the Secretary of State for War whether he can give us any information on the subject, and, if not, whether he will cause, at the proper time, inquiries to be made into the matter.

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

My Lords, we have no corroboration of the extremely painful story to which my noble friend has referred. I suggest to him that the better course will be to wait until we receive, as I have no doubt we shall, a despatch giving an account of this particular engagement, and should there then be any confirmation of this sinister rumour, it will be our business to make further inquiries.

LORD WENLOCK

Might I ask the noble Marquess if it is true that the Colonial troops are dressed differently to the Imperial troops?

THE MARQUESS OF LANSDOWNE

I fancy they are all dressed in khaki, but whether there is any distinguishing mark between the two I cannot say.

House adjourned at a quarter before Five of the clock, till To-morrow, half-past Ten of the clock.