CO885-(15-16) — Page 95

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5805.

No. 72.

(SOUTH AFRICA.)

CASE.

PAPERS ISSUED BY MR. W. T. STEAD.

COPIES of papers left herewith marked A and B, enclosed in envelope marked C, have ixen forwarded to the War Office by clergymen in different parts of the country, to whom they have been sent through the post.

It is believed that copies have been posted to every clergyman in the country. The papers enclosed in envelope D," left with the Attorney-General's case, have been forwarded to the Foreign Office by His Majesty's Minister at Berne, to whom they have been handed by the person who received them through the post.

It is believed that copies are being sent to all Continental newspaper editors.

The Secretary of State for War desires the opinion of the Law Officers as to the possibility of legal proceedings against Mr. Stead in respect of the documents in question.

The Attorney and Solicitor General are requested to advise accordingly.

Opinion.

I cannot advise any proceedings against Mr. Stead. It appears to me that any action of this sort might have the effect of leading the public to attach very undeserved importance to Mr. Stead's publications, and might create a bad impression both at home and abroad.

The so-called "testimony of a British Officer" would appear, from internal evidence, to proceed, not, as alleged, from a British Officer commanding in the field, but from some literary workshop in London. If any actual evidence can be obtained converting this suspicion into certainty, the publication of it through the usual channels would do more to discredit Mr. Stead than a prosecution, which he, no doubt, ardently desires.

R. B. FINLAY.

Law Officers' Department,

8th February, 1901.

8089-25-2/1901 Wt 324

D&S

5

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

C.O. 8

Reference :-

885

15 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

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