§ SIR CHARLES RUSSELLasked the Secretary of State for War, 'Whether his attention has been called to a letter which appeared in the "Standard" newspaper of the 22nd January, signed "How to spoil a Regiment," and also to a leading article in the same newspaper of the 24th ultimo founded on the previous letter; and whether he can state if there is any truth in the allegations therein contained against a distinguished Regiment of Her Majesty's service?
MR. GATHORNE HARDYYes; both my attention and that of His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief has been called to the letter and article in question, and it being evident that they referred to the 2nd Battalion, 19th Foot, the General Officer commanding at Portsmouth (Sir Hastings Doyle) was ordered by His Royal Highness to inquire into the matter. This he did most fully, and in submitting Colonel Chippindall's explanation reported
that this distinguished officer had most ably defended himself against the vile aspersions which had been cast against his character as a commanding officer.His Royal Highness, after a full con- 381 sideration of the circumstances, caused Sir Hastings Doyle to be informedthat he entirely agreed with him that Colonel Chippindall had most completely and conclusively disproved the whole of the scandalous accusations which were made against him,and desired that this should be communicated to Colonel Chippindall.