DINIZULU’S TRIAL.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9071, 11 February 1908, Page 5

DINIZULU’S TRIAL.

Press Association —Copyright. Received February 10, 9.12 p.m. London, February 10. Reuter’s Johannesburg correspondent states that Mr Jellicoe there advised the Asiatics to support the constitution, but to be prompt in putting forward their grievances; Mr Jellicoe stated in an interivew that Dinizulu’s trial would be delayed for months. Martial law in Zululand is unlikely to be withdrawn until Royal assent to the Indefnnity Act has been secured, otherwise the Government must fear prosecutions for killing and flogging natives. He added that Natal had broken faith with the Imperial Government.!

. Mr Jellicoe, in a letter to Nathan, charges the prosecution with persistently preventing Diniznlu from obtaining evidence for the defence. He describes the proceedings !as a judicial outrage/ “Dinizulu’s trial,” he says, ‘‘is a political one. You are aware that with Lord Elgin’s concurrence I came to defend Diniznlu. It is common ground between us owing to the mendacity of the local press, engendered by the influence of political and other adventurers seeking to exploit four million acres reserved to the natives, and who find Dinizulu an obstacle to their schemas. ” A strong opinion has grown in Natal that Diniznlu is disloyal. The letter proceeds to witnesses were forced under martial law to incriminate Diniznlu, and were not allowed the opportunity to withdraw such statements. . Mr Jellicoe claims that fie possesses evidence that resisting natives were shot under martial law. Hundreds of Dinizulu’s witnesses were arrested and hidden.

The Daily Telegraph’s Maritzhurg correspondent states that the Minister of Defence declares that the statement that the natives _ were flogged to obtain evidence is ridiculous. They were flogged for insolence, but the punishment was mild. The correspondent adds that there is great indignation at Mr = Jellicoe not remaining to substantiate his accusation. ' Jellicoe quarrelled with all • • sa ’.law officers at Maritzhurg. f grieceived February 10, 9.12 p.m. . London, February 10. Mr Wintson Churchill, in reply to Mr Cotton, quoted Nathan’s patch. In response to an inquiry. Col. ■"McKenzie reports that during the recent military operations in Zululand five natives were tried and sentenced • to be flogged. _