MURDER ON THE VELDT

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 392, 17 April 1902, Page 3

MURDER ON THE VELDT

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigh Melbourne, April 16.

Tho official account of tho execution of Australasian officers has been tabled in the Federal House. It discloses no new facts beyond that Morant and Handcock, who wero court-martialled on four counts of murder, wero found guilty on three. Tho verdict was accompanied in two instances by recommendations to mercy.

Sydney, April 7. Mr Barton, Federal Premier, recently ask. 'l Lord Kitchener, through the Go-vernor-General of Australia, for information concerning the causes which led up to the execution of Lieutenant Morant and Lieutenant Handcock, and tho life imprisonment of Lieutenant Witton, of the Bush Veldt Carbineers. The Commander-in-Chief courteously made a prompt reply, and Mr Barton received from Lord Hopetoun a telegraphic message, of which tho following is a copy : “ Morant, Handcock, and Witton wero charged with 20 separate murders, including one of a German missionary who had witnessed other murders. “Twelve distinct murders were proved, and from the evidence it appears that Morant was the originator of the crimes which Handcock committed in a cold blooded manner. “ The murders were committed in the

, wildest part of tho Transvaal, known aB } Spelonken, about 80 miles to tbo north of : Pretoria. They were committed on four separate dates, viz., July 2, August 11, August 23, September 7. “In one case, when thoro woro eight Boer prisoners murdered, it was alleged in defence that it was done in justifiable revenge for tho maltreatment of one of their officers, Captain Hunt, who was killed in action.

“ No such maltreatment was proved. “ The prisoners were convicted after a most exhaustive trial, during which they were defendod by a brother officer. There wero in my opinion no extenuating circumstances.

“ Lieutenant Witton was also convicted, but I commuted his sentence to penal servitude for life because it was shown that his crimes were committed under the infjuenco of Morant and Handcock. “ Proceedings have been sent Home.” After reading this telegram to a Sydney Morning Herald reporter, Mr Barton said : —“ That seems to put the matter beyond doubt. There are two things it seems to establish—first, there were murders which it was impossible to pass over, and which were necessarily a subject of severe punishment : and, next, that tho question of the degree of punishment was considered by Lord Kitchener as clear from his commutation of the punishment in the cose of one of the officers, Lieutenant Witton. The matter is open to this further comment —that the wild stories which have been told as to plunder or robbery do not seem, to be substantiated. I have not received yet any information which for a moment justifies tho accusation of tne taking of life for the purpose of plunder.” The reporter said: “ There is a hope on the part of many that something will be done by your Government to secure a remission of some of Witton’s sentence. Is such action to bo anticipated ? ” Mr Barton answered : “ The reduction of tho sentence on Witton cannot be considered with any pretence to justice until we get the full evidence of the courtmartial. I have no doubt it will come here. Major Thomas, who defendod the prisoners, has stated that he is bringing the evidence out here. I believe Major Thomas was a good officer and a gentleman of good repute.” “ What are you informed occurred in connection with Major Lenehan ? ” 1 “Ho was held under arrest while he awaited trial, but he was not imprisoned ’after bis trial, because his punishment was merely a mild reprimand. He had neglected his duty by not sending in papers, 'or something like that. He was sent back, and was escorted by a brother officer to Capetown, where he took ship.”

“ WOULD SHOCK THE WORLD.” Adelaide, April 4.

A gentleman who recently arrived from South Africa, and who was in Petersburg when the accused officers of the Bushveldt Carbineers were arrested and during a large portion of the sittings of the Court of Inquiry there, was interviewed to-night regarding the regrettable occurrence. It was shortly after going to Spelonken that Captain Hunt was killed. The first intimation that those in Pietersburg had of tho matter was when in November the corps returned to that town some officers were immediately placed under arrest. Lieutenant Morant was kept under guard in the lines, while Lieutenant Witton was sent to the garrison artillery camp, and Lieutenant Handcock to the Wiltshire Regiment. Another young officer, who was on duty at another post was arrested on arrival, and was handed over to the

Royal Field Artillery. He was almost broken-hearted when arrested for having participated in the affair. The officer who was given charge of him sympathised with him in his unfortunate position, and used to send him cigars and whisky. To the officer the prisoner protested his innocence, and said : “ I Bhrink to tell you all that really has taken place. If everything comes out it will shock the world, and unless some step is taken we shall be at war with Germany within a

month.” The prisoner had been in •charge of the shooting party which ex* :uted the captured Boer at Mamahile op on August 10. When a consultation as held ho protested to Lieutenant . forant and Lieutenant Handcock that they had no right to shoot the prisoner, id he was told that he was junior officer id his business was to obey orders. Vhen ordered to command the firing party, he objected, but was persuaded and intimidated by his older officers to do the deed. At the Court of Inquiry, he was acoused of having drawn a revolver and put a bullet through one of the Boers

who was lying on the ground, with seven other bullets in his body. But ho swore that ho fired into the earth, and this statement was accepted by the Court. He wns subsequently freed from all blame. The Court of Inquiry, which lasted for weeks, used to sit from 9 in the morning till 4 in the afternoon. The president was Colonel Carter, of the Wiltshire Regiment, and the other members of the Court comprised Colonel Scott, of the Gordon Highlanders, a major, and two other officers. Witnesses were called by the Court, and consisted mostly of men

from the Carbineers-. The evidence they gave astounded the Court, and should it be made public it will rightly destroy all sympathy for the executed men. When the Court had completed its inquiries, the evidence was forwarded to headquarters, and Lord Kitchener ordered a courtmartial. Lieutenant Morant was a splendid chap to talk with. He was a dare-devil, and would do anything. He said once that his father kicked him out years ago, and ho came out to Australia. He went to South Africa with the South Australian Second Contingent, and subsequently worked under Bennet Burleigh, the war correspondent. After that he obtained a commission, and when he returned to England his father recognised him again, and gave him a consider-

able sum of money. Questioned as to loot, the gentleman interviewed was asked whether there was any truth in the statement that it was £20,000 that they were after when they shot the Boers. That, he said, he could not sav; but he knew at the inquiry’ it was stated that they’ pillaged waggons for something. There was no question, ho said, that looting was practised, and to a very serious extent. When the unnamed captain, Lieutenant Handcock, and Lieutenant Morant got away into the backblocks they just did as they liked. They took what they wanted and used very effective means to prevent any tattling.” “ What became of the Bushveldt Carbi-

neers?” the gentleman was asked. “ Well, they only lasted eight months, and they made such a name for themselves that the corps was broken up, and it was about time. I remember one day three Australians came up to me and said : ‘ What are we to do ? We dare not so back to Australia, for if the people knew we were in the Bushveldt Carbineers nobody would recognise us.’ Per- • Bonaily, I think it would be better, if the whole of the evidence at the inquiry B nd the court-martial were not revealed,"