HC Deb 14 March 1884 vol 285 cc1544-5
MR. LABOUCHERE

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the instructions which this House was informed had been sent to General Graham, to confine all offensive Military operations to those necessary for the defence of Suakin, have been modified or supplemented?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

Since my hon. Friend gave Notice of the Question which he has put, I have looked through all the telegrams which have been received from or despatched to General Graham; and I think it might be productive of some harm if I were to refer in detail to those telegrams before receiving from General Graham a reply to the message which, as I said yesterday, I had sent to that gallant Officer. I may say, however, that the instructions sent to General Graham in the first instance have not been modified in any material respect; but I do not wish the House to accept my own opinions as to those instructions until they are in the hands of hon. Members. The only telegram I have received from General Graham in the course of to-day is the following:—From Major General Sir G. Graham to the Secretary of State for War (despatched Suakin, 14th March, 3.20 P.M., received 3 P.M.)— Sheik Mahmoud Ali believes that when news of Osman's defeat yesterday has spread among tribes they will become peaceful, and the Berber road will become clear in about 10 days. I have telegraphed again, asking the General to send further details as to his movements, and asking for lists of killed and wounded.

MR. LABOUCHERE

May I ask the noble Marquess whether General Graham is free to go to Berber?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

I think I had better defer any answer until I have received the further Report of General Graham.