HC Deb 09 December 1878 vol 243 c308
SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

asked the Under Secretary of State for India, Whether a letter from the Ameer Shere Ali has been received by Major Cavagnari; and, if so, whether its contents are known to Her Majesty's Government?

MR. E. STANHOPE

Sir, the following telegram will, I think, explain all the circumstances as to the receipt of the Ameer's answer:— From Viceroy, Dec. 5, 1878. Cavagnari reports arrival at Dakka on 30th November of a subordinate officer of Ameer's, with letter in reply to ultimatum. Messenger had| reached Basawal 22nd, and there heard of Ali Musjid defeat and returned to Cabul. Letter is dated 19th, but is believed to have been re-written at Cabul after news of Ali Musjid. Summary of contents follow in cipher. We do not know when its contents became known to the Indian Government; but the summary was received in England on the night of December 5, and was not seen by any Member of the Cabinet until Friday, December 6. The statement in The Daily News, to the contrary effect, is a simple fabrication. The summary of contents was not published, because the full text was expected. That arrived yesterday, and was at once published in every quarter.