HC Deb 15 March 1877 vol 232 cc1966-7
MR. POTTER

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he is now prepared to state to the House the particulars of the outrage on a British subject perpetrated by the Egyptian authorities in the recent seizure of Mr. Robert Adeane Barlow off Massowah, and the measures which have been taken to obtain reparation for Mr. Barlow; also, if Mr. Barlow is now set at liberty?

MR. BOURKE

I stated to the House the other day that Mr. Barlow, who describes himself of the Abyssinian Army, and Mr. Houghton had in November last announced their intention to penetrate into Abyssinia, and they were warned by Her Majesty's Agent and Consul General that if they attempted to do so in defiance of the prohibition which had been issued by the Egyptian Government it would be at their own risk and peril. It appears that they did proceed to the eastern shore of the Red Sea, where they embarked in a small dhow that was going to Massowah with coals for one of Her Majesty's ships. The dhow was not under the British flag, but under the Turkish flag. On their arrival at Massowah they were asked for their passports. They answered that they had got none. Mr. Barlow gave his name as Colonel Knox, and Mr. Houghton his as Mr. Baird. Afterwards they produced their passports. When the authorities at Massowah found by the passport that their names were not Knox and Baird suspicions were aroused, and they were put under arrest; but on Mr. Houghton giving his parole that he would not leave the town he was released; but Mr. Barlow having refused to do so was placed in confinement pending inquiry as to their identity. They were subsequently removed in an Egyptian transport to Suez, where they were set at liberty on the 21st ultimo. They were re-arrested, in consequence, it is said, of their attempting to leave again for Massowah, and Mr. Houghton has represented that great violence was used against him when arrested. Inquiries will be made into the truth of this statement. Mr. Houghton has been set at liberty, and is now at Cairo. Mr. Barlow refuses to give his parole not to return to Abyssinia; but, though under serveillance at Suez, he is free to go where he pleases in the town.