§ MR. GILBERT LEIGHasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the telegram published in the "Daily News" of March 2 concerning the 15th Hussars is true, namely:
The chief cause of the disaster was the ammunition running short. When the troops retreated the Hussars were sent out with eight mules carrying ammunition to cover the retreat, but on reaching the Nek under the Hill the Hussars were taken by surprise. They then dismounted and commenced firing, the horses 1415 taking fright and bolting. The Hussars therefore retired, losing ten men and all their ammunition;and, if not true, whether he will, in the interest of the regiment, officially contradict it?
§ MR. CHILDERSIn reply to my hon. Friend, I have to state that I have received no letter having special reference to the telegram in The Daily News, and that, for the reasons I gave some weeks ago, I am unwilling to telegraph for reports upon newspaper telegrams, unless the interests of the Public Service should render it necessary. But I have read a private letter from the officer in charge of the ammunition on the occasion referred to by my hon. Friend, in which he said that all the ammunition, so far from being lost, was saved, except two boxes, which were on a mule that was shot. Only four men of the 15th Hussars were killed, wounded, or prisoners. Perhaps I may add that the despatches about the Majuba action will be published in The Gazette, and that they will be accompanied by excellent maps.