BECHUANALAND AFFAIR

Evening Star, Issue 21518, 16 September 1933, Page 13

BECHUANALAND AFFAIR

FLOGGING OF WHITE MAN “A THOROUGHLY BAD BUSINESS.” Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright.

LONDON, September 15

The newspapers emphasise that chief Tsheked has not been deposed, but suspended during His Majesty’s pleasure. Mr Stanley, the South African High Commissioner, who is now in London, will have a consultation with Mr Thomas regarding the matter. Tho ‘ Daily Herald ” describes tho affair as a thoroughly bad business, and says: “Doubtless Nazi minded Britons rejoice that ‘ Evans of the Broke taught a nigger a lesson,’, but tho decision will long bo remembered by the people of Berfiuanaland, who once bad a childlike faith in British justice.” The ‘ News-Chronicle ’ says: “ Tho Rechuanaland affair is a bad business. No Englishman will dispute the necessity for the white man’s prestige being maintained, but tho remedy seems drastic.” CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY IMPORTANTS POINTS INVOLVED. (British Official Wireless.) HUGBV, September IG. (Received September IG, at 11 a.m.) A full report on tbo Bechuannland flogging case has been received at the Dominion Office. Important points of constitutional authority arc involved and the report makes it clear that Tsehekedi, the chief of tho Bawangwato tribe, exceeded his powers in flogging Mackintosh, and that in claiming the right to do so, ho attempted to put himself above the law. The report states that the_ chief admitted trying tho rase and giving sentence. His defence was, firstly, that Mackintosh was a bad character and his action was justified ; secondly, that ho was immune from the section of tbo proclamation of 1891 which forbids a native court to deal with Europeans. The report adds: “The chief’s attitude, as disclosed by the inquiry, made it impossible to deal with him by fine and rebuke.” In official circles in London, the view is expressed that whatever Mackinstosh’s offence had been, Tscbekedi’s claims could not bo allowed, and the danger of the usurpation of the power of the Administration bad to bo averted, otherwise the existing difficulties of administering the country would have been greatly increased.;