§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether there is foundation for the report that the Governor of Dongola has, through terror at the abandonment of Berber, made terms with the Mahdi; and, if so, whether communications with General Gordon are now entirely cut off; and, whether Slaten Bey, the Governor of Darfour, has surrendered to the Mahdi?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICENo certain information as to the attitude of the Governor of Dongola has been received by Her Majesty's Government, 847 and I cannot make any further statement at present. Communication with General Gordon is cut off. As the hon. Member will see on reference to "Egypt," No. 13, page 12, General Gordon telegraphed on the 9th of April that Slaten Bey was not a prisoner. Her Majesty's Government have received no further information since that date.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTsaid, the part of the Question referring to Slaten Bey was a piece of information which had just come to this country. He should like to ask the noble Lord, whether the Government had any information that the Governor of Dongola had seized by force a quantity of arms and ammunition from Korosko?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEasked that Notice should be given of the Question, as he was exceedingly averse to replying to interrogatories on matters of details without Notice.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTgave Notice of the Question.