§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether he can explain the delay on the part of the Indian Government in sending home a Report of the reasons which induced the Viceroy in Council to order the advance of General Burrows, such order having been given as far back as the 1st of July; and, whether a pledge can be given that any such Report, as well as the original text of the order, will be presented to Parliament as soon as they are received?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, the only information I have received as to the reasons which induced the Viceroy in Council to order the advance of General Burrows is contained in the telegram which was included in the Papers laid on the Table, and which I 1049 hope will be in the hands of hon. Members to-morrow. That telegram is the first of the Papers, and, as it is only short, I will read it—
Telegram from Thompson at Teheran says Ayonb Khan is marching towards Candahar in great force. I think you should leave Shere Ali to defend himself beyond the Helmund. It seems to me, looking at the security of our forces, it would he inconsistent with our military position at Candahar to allow Ayoub Khan's forces to cross that river. We propose, therefore, that you should give instructions for an advance, and that would necessitate the moving up of reinforcements from General Phayre. No troops will be moved until the necessity actually arises.I have not received the exact text of the Order issued in accordance with that telegram; but on the 1st July the Viceroy telegraphed that orders had been sent to General Primrose and General Phayre in accordance with that telegram. The hon. Gentleman will see, when he receives the Papers, that there is no reference specifically to the point to which he has on this, and other occasions, referred. I have, however, received confidentially, and in a form in which I regret I cannot lay on the Table of the House, a communication from the Viceroy: but in no communication that I have received does he think it necessary to enter minutely into the details of the question raised by the hon. Gentleman. I may, however, state that this confidential communication amply proves that the measures taken on receipt of the news of the advance of Ayoub Khan did receive careful attention on the part of Her Majesty's Government of India and their Military Advisers. The sufficiency of the force under General Primrose's command was also considered; and the measures taken were such as, in the opinion of the military authorities, were considered necessary, and were, in fact, in excess of what they believed met the demand of General Primrose. I have thought it right, in justice to the Government of India, to call their attention by telegram to the questions which had been raised in this country, and to ask them to furnish me with further information in a shape in which it can be published, by way of reply to the allegations which have been made in respect of their want of foresight in the matter.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFWhat is the date of the telegram, and will the noble Lord inform the House whether the Viceroy at Simla consulted 1050 General Primrose as to the advisability of the advance?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONIt would be more convenient if the hon. Member were to wait until the Papers are produced before putting that Question.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLThe noble Lord has not stated the date of the telegram he has read.