DR. CAMERONasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, with reference to a statement concerning the gunboat Arab, published in The Daily News of the 6th current to the effect that in 1880, in concert with Her Majesty's sloop Dragon, she—
Blockaded Makalph, on the south coast of Arabia, and took possession of six strongly fortified forts from Machy Makiber, a quarrelsome chief, who, with his followers, was made prisoner and conveyed to Aden, whence they were afterwards sent to Zanzibar;and, whether any Papers have been presented containing an account of the circumstances under which the seizure of Machy Makiber's forts and his deportation to Zanzibar took place; and, if not, if he would be so good as to inform the House of the circumstances of the seizure and deportation?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSWith permission, I will answer that Question. The circumstances mentioned by my hon. Friend occurred in 1881, and cannot possibly be explained within the limits of the answer to a Question. It was at that time considered desirable, for political reasons, that the Chief of Shahr, who had long been at feud with the Chief of Makulla, should be secured in possession of Makulla, and for this purpose assistance was afforded by Her Majesty's ships, the result being that the Chief of Makulla was taken to Aden, whence he proceeded to Zanzibar at his own wish, provision for his maintenance having been made from Makulla revenues. The Papers relating to this matter are extremely voluminous, extending over many years, and they have not been presented.
§ MR. J. K. CROSSNo; there was no war. It was a dispute between two Chiefs.
§ [No reply.]