HC Deb 07 February 1884 vol 284 cc201-3
MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether Her Majesty's Government are able to state what steps they propose to take to check the fanatical revolution in the Soudan which threatens the peace of Egypt and of the neighbouring Countries? He also desired to add a Question, of which he had given the Prime Minister private Notice—namely, Whether the Prime Minister would state what steps Her Majesty's Government were prepared to take to secure the safety of the garrisons at Sinkat and Tokar, who had now been besieged, within 30 miles of the Bed Sea, for a period of seven weeks, and who were in the greatest distress?

MR. GLADSTONE

I received this morning from the hon. Member a written addition to the Question of the hon. Member. The Question now asks whether Her Majesty's Government are able to state what steps they propose to take to check the fanatical revolution in the Soudan; and, secondly, what course they intend to pursue with respect to certain garrisons in the Soudan? As regards the first part of the Question, it is a demand for an expression of the views of the Government with regard to Egypt and the Soudan generally, and, as to that, I may say that I hope to take a very early opportunity of stating fully in debate the views of Her Majesty's Government on that subject. With regard to the second part of the Question, the Government have this infor- mation as to the fate of Tewfik Pasha—that the rumour which caused so much alarm in the House yesterday is not founded on fact, Sir Evelyn Baring having telegraphed to Lord Granville— There is no truth in the reports, which I understand have been telegraphed home, that Sinkat has been taken, but the garrison is in great straits. The statement that Tewfik Pasha had endeavoured to cut his way out with a body of some hundreds of men, and had been cut to pieces, is the subject of the telegram which is contradicted.

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

With regard to the reply of the right hon. Gentleman, I would ask him whether, the garrison of Sinkat being in dire straits from starvation, and being within 30 miles of the Red Sea Coast, which is in the occupation of Her Majesty's Government at this moment, Her Majesty's Government are prepared to take immediate steps to relieve that gallant officer, Tewfik Pasha, and the garrison from the terrors in which they are placed?

MR. GLADSTONE

I cannot undertake to make any statement as to the question of the Soudan or the garrison of Sinkat until the early opportunity for discussing the question we have named has arrived.

MR. A. F. EGERTON

May I ask whether it is true that a division of Marines is to be sent to Suakim; and also whether or not troops can be stopped in the Red Sea for the relief of that place?

MR. RITCHIE

Before that question is answered, may I ask whether it is true that the blue-jackets who have been stopped in the Red Sea on their way home, and placed at the disposal of Sir William Hewett, are without arms?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Steps have been immediately taken to furnish Sir William Hewett with such increase of strength as he has asked for; in fact, measures had already been, to some extent, adopted in anticipation of his wishes. I do not think it will be expected that I should give any details of numbers; but I may mention, as I see somewhat inaccurate statements in the newspapers, that there are at present either at Suakim or Massowah—most of them probably at Suakim—including the flagship, certainly—the Euryalus corvette, the Ranger, Decoy, Coquette, and the Sphinx. In addition, the Carysfort, a large corvette, has been ordered from Alexandria to convoy the reinforcements necessary to Suakin.