BRITISH SURRENDERS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10321, 25 April 1901, Page 2

BRITISH SURRENDERS.

ISQUIRY TO BE THOROUGH.'

The Government havo this week (writes the Argus' London correspondent on March 1) given a public assurance of their intention to afford the fullest possible publicity to the circumstances attending the surrender of Britisli troops in Africa. In reply to inquiries in Parliament, Mr Brodrick and Mr Balfour have explained that the ' War Office havo decided to follow the practice of the Admiralty. It was intended to hold courts of inquiry, and where these courts established a "prima-facie" case against an officer he would be publicly tried by court-martial. Discretion would be left -with the Commander-in-Cluef and, the Secretary of State as to what, if anything, should be mdde public as the results of these courts of inquiry. Already there had been ninetynine courts of inquiry with regard' to twenty operations; ten officers had been dismissed from the army or put en half-pay, and penalties had been imposed upon others. In some cases officers had been given to understand that their chances of promotion had been impaired. Mr Brodrick -further announced that within a fortnight Of his entering on the duties of Secretary ot State he had resolved that tno officer, whatever his rank or previous record, wduld -he employed, in any home command from \fnca, except on the direct recommendation of Lord Roberta or Lord Kitchener. While prompt punishment would follow misconduct, merit would be promptly rewarded, and he had already, askgfl /or the names of deserving omcersTtNlj; J^alfour added that there would be a general inquiry when the war was over', mid the -"committee" would have power to send for witnesses and documents. There would be no at-tcn-pt at concealment in any matter which, in the interest of the nublic, the "committee" desired to investigate. Tho Opposition front bench appear to have been satisfied with these declarations of the War Secretary and the leader of the House; and the public are gratified that it is Mr Brodnck's intention to inaugurate a policy of "thorough."