Originally Posted by 
Celtoid
				
			 
			It's a complicated issue all right but there are a few clear facts.
 
The British Government had a history of orchestrating and supporting genocide, you only have to look at what happened in Scotland and Ireland to see that. I assume similar happened in all their rambles into foreign territory. However, they were certainly not alone as most Imperialistic Governments and armies were the same. The Boers themselves if you believe what has been written, had scant regard for the lives of their perceived invaders (AKA the British) and the local natives.
 
I guess the thing for me is this. If the orders were real and Kitchener had the authority to give them, then both he and the British Government (at the time) were guilty of war crimes. If Breaker Morant followed them, so was he. As stated above by The Booger, the Germans and the Japs had no recourse with these claims either. As in modern times, if the perpetrators were Serbian or African or Middle Eastern, the Hague would wait regardless of rank or station. Why then is it different for an Aussie and the Brits?
 
I don't think we should let patriotism and the old anti-British rebel streak get in the way of the facts.
 
It would be distasteful for Australia to try to force the British government to pardon Morant and Co, just on the bases of him following orders. The act was just as much a crime as the order. Of course, if he wasn't following orders, it's a no brainer….same result…..War Criminal.
 
Maybe they should pursue the British Government for an apology for being the way they were.....