§ SIR HENRY TYLERasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether Her Majesty's Government have decided on the question of the frontier to be maintained between India and Afghanistan; and, if so, whether he would state to the House the proposed line of that frontier? He also asked whether there is any truth in the telegram in the papers that General Stewart has been ordered to arrest his retreat?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThe House will remember that early in June, I think it was, I gave an answer in the House of Commons, with regard to the position of the frontier, from which this is an extract—
As to the positions of the frontier occupied" under the Treaty of Gundamak, the Government are not satisfied that they add anything to the strength of the Frontier; they appear to involve a very considerahle addition to the Frontier Force, which we should regret. Lord Ripon will obtain the best military advice at his disposal on the military question, and on this advice he will act independently. He will consider the question of their retention or abandonment on its merits, political and military, and will not be influenced by the mere fact of their having been acquired and occupied under the Treaty of Gundamak, which must be considered to have ceased to exist."—[3 Hansard, cclii. 1343.]I am informed that the question is at this moment under the consideration of the Viceroy and his Council, and I am not able to state what will be decided. I have no confirmation of the alarming telegram which has been published in several of the newspapers yesterday and to-day. I have received a telegram from the Viceroy, dated to-day, in reply to one of mine yesterday, and he makes no mention whatever with reference to the report mentioned in the newspapers.
§ SIR HENRY TYLERWill the noble Lord be good enough to inform the House, when he receives the information, of the quantity of military stores, including guns and rifles, that have been left behind by General Stewart in retiring from Cabul?