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Summary of Hansard Debate on Jameson Raid Inquiry, February 20, 1900
date: February 20, 1900



Chamber: House of Commons
Early stages of the Second Anglo-Boer War (1899–1902), with renewed calls to investigate the Jameson Raid (1895–1896) due to its role in escalating tensions.

Key Points





Mr. D. A. Thomas’s Motion: Called for a new, impartial inquiry into the Jameson Raid, citing the 1897 Select Committee’s inconclusive findings and public disappointment. Argued that disclosures in Indépendance Belge (e.g., Fairfield-Hawksley letters) suggest Colonial Office involvement, particularly by Joseph Chamberlain, impugning the House’s honor.



Jameson Raid’s Impact: Described as a “miserable and contemptible” act that fueled Boer distrust, hampered British diplomacy, and contributed to the war. Suspicions of Chamberlain’s complicity undermined negotiations with the Transvaal.



Public and Parliamentary Interest: Crowded benches and government prioritization of the debate reflect its significance. Public indignation, driven by leaked documents, demands accountability.



Allegations Against Chamberlain: Leaked documents, deemed authentic, implicate the Colonial Office, questioning the 1897 inquiry’s impartiality and necessitating a new tribunal.



Outcome: Motion defeated (224–132), with Unionists opposing and Liberals/Irish nationalists supporting, indicating government resistance to revisiting the raid amid the war.

Relevance


Jameson Raid’s role in British-Boer tensions, a precursor to the Second Anglo-Boer War.



Complements prior documents (1883 Mapoch, 1899 war debate, 1900 war questions, 1902 prisoners) by examining a key historical grievance, aligning with the user’s interest in Boer-British relations and South African history.