§ MR. POTTERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he is prepared to communicate to the House information as to the present state of negotiations between Egypt and Abyssinia; and, whether there is a probability of the early conclusion 318 of peace; and, if so, whether Egypt will cede to the Abyssinians the port of Massowah, and arrangements be made by the British Government for the free development of trade and the establishment of friendly relations between this Country and Abyssinia?
§ MR. BOURKEI have to state that the latest information we have respecting Colonel Gordon is dated a very few days ago, and comes by telegram from Cairo. The Consul General states that Colonel Gordon, on being appointed by the Khedive Governor General of the Soudan, was furnished with full powers by His Highness to conclude peace with King John of Abyssinia. I am sorry to say it is impossible to state now whether any question with regard to the cession of the port of Massowah to the Abyssinians will form part of those negotiations; but we are informed that Colonel Gordon is instructed to negotiate peace on the basis that a large reduction of Customs dues should take place in those ports through which Abyssinia receives her goods; and therefore we are under the impression that Colonel Gordon will negotiate peace with Abyssinia upon that basis; but we do not yet know the result, and, indeed, there has hardly been time for any settlement to be come to. Then the hon. Member asks about the relations between Abyssinia and this Country. I have only to state that Her Majesty's Government have no wish that our relations with Abyssinia should be anything but most friendly. But, at the same time, I should remind the hon. Member that we have had experience in this country of Abyssinia, and of the danger of placing Consuls where it is inconvenient and almost impossible to give them proper protection.