THE CHARTERED COMPANY'S CLAIM (...C7,500,000). ITo THE EDITOR Or TEE `' SPECTATOR.")
SIR,—We attach hereto for publication, with Lord Cave's permission, a zsuitie of the evidence tendered to the Rhodesian Claim Commission.—We are, Sir, &c.,
TRAVERS BUXTON (Secretary).
Joust H. HARRIS (Organising Secretary).
The Anti-Slaverg and Aborigines Protection ,Vociety. 196 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, S.W.1.
Mr. Travers Buxton explained -why the Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society had decided to present their case against the claim through. Mr. John 11. Harris, who had given long study to Rhodesian questions, rather than through Counsel.
The Society, Mr. Harris said, desired to submit that the.wers upon the natives of 1893 and 1896 should not be paid for by the British taxpayer. Both wars were primarily due to a "deliberate and -successful attempt to mislead the Imperial authorities," and thus could not be regarded as a "necessary and proper " administrative expenditure.
Mr. Harris drew the attention of Lord Cave's Commission to the remarkable disparity between the alleged costs of these wars, that of 1893 being quoted as .2120,000 and that of 1896 at A:2,500,000. In the case.of the latter war it was urged that the Jameson Raid was not only coincident, but by the Company's own admission provided the opportunity for 'the native rising against admitted oppression. The Society's evidencealoo showed that the Rhodesian police, which were an.adininistrafive charge, were largely used for the Jameson Raid into the Transvaal.
The Society contended that if the British taxpayers were held ultimately liable for the cost of the Chartered Company's wars on lire natives, then the amount should be reduced by a-considerable sum. Mr. Harrie.produced.a copy-of the secret agreement signed by Sir Starr Jameson in 1893, by which it was agreed to. give the land -of the Matabele to the invaders, and that the " loot " taken from the Matabele was to be divided, one half to become the property of the Chartered Company and one half to be divided equally amongst the 600 invaders. The Anti-Slavery and Aborigines Protection Society produced evidence showing that "the loot" included not less than 30,000 but probably more than 250,000 head of cattle. The Society urged that these and similar credits should be-deducted from the Company's claim of .27,500,000.
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