HC Deb 02 March 1885 vol 294 cc1776-7
SIR HENRY TYLER

said, that in the absence of the Prime Minister, which he was sure they would all regret, he desired to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any measures have been adopted for the relief of the garrison of Kassala? He also begged to ask whether the Government had received similar information to that which he had received from Suakin, in reply to a telegram sent there yesterday. It was to the effect—"All grain issued at Kassala. Garrison sortie defeated. The Italians only an embarrassment?"

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I gave a reply with regard to Kassala and the measures for its possible relief on Friday last. Since then, I regret to say, intelligence has reached Her Majesty's Government that the gallant garrison of that town has had a severe defeat at Kolcia. The battle took place on the 2nd of February, and the loss was 28 officers and 632 men. I may point out that the difficulty of relieving Kassala by any other means than through the medium of friendly tribes in the neighbourhood is very great, owing to the distance of the town from the sea coast, Suakin being 280 miles distant, and Massowah, viâ Senheit, being 293 miles from Kassala.

SIR HENRY TYLER

gave Notice of his intention to ask whether Kassala was not one of the places referred to in the well-known communications written by General Gordon, nearly a year ago, when he said that to abandon the garrisons would brand the Government with indelible disgrace?

LORD JOHN MANNERS

asked the noble Lord, whether the relief of the garrison of Kassala was not one of the objects contemplated in the Treaty of Abyssinia?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

All the Papers relating to the Abyssinian Treaty are before the House. I think the text of the Treaty shows that the relief of Kassala was not mentioned in any way except this—that after the withdrawal of the garrisons of Kassala and Assouan, then the King of Abyssinia was to have the right of occupying Senaar.

BARON HENRY DE WORMS

I wish to ask the noble Lord, whether the King was not to facilitate the evacuation of Kassala?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

Yes; that is what I indicated just now. The King is under no obligation to march to the relief of Kassala; but he is to facilitate the retreat of the garrisons through his territory, and then he may take possession of Senheit.

SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

asked, how many Europeans were in Kassala?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

replied, that he could not say exactly. He hoped to be able to do so to-morrow.