§ MR. WHITESIDEsaid, he rose to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Whether he can give the House any information with respect to the fate of the Abyssinian captives?
§ MR. LAYARDSir, a telegram has been received by the Government from our Consul General at Alexandria, stating that Mr. Flad, the German Missionary who was detained in Abyssinia, is coming to England, and is now on his way with despatches from Mr. Rassam. I gather from this 722 communication that the King, before allowing the prisoners to leave Abyssinia, desired to receive some kind of assurance that the English Government would not demand reparation for his conduct towards those whom he had thrown into prison. I do not, of course, know the full contents of these despatches. Mr. Flad says that the captives released were treated with great kindness by the King, and I trust that little delay will take place before they reach England. I hope shortly to give the House fuller details on the subject. Meanwhile, letters have been written to the friends of the captives, with the information which I have now given to the House.