HC Deb 14 February 1881 vol 258 cc772-4
COLONEL STANLEY

Perhaps the Secretary of State for War will allow me to ask him a Question, of which I have given him private Notice, Whether he can tell us yet what decision the Government have come to in the matter of sending reinforcements to the Transvaal; and also, whether any further news of the actual progess of the campaign has been received?

MR. CHILDERS

In reply to my right hon. and gallant Friend, I have to say, continuing the Answer I gave him on Friday last, that the actual offer made to Sir George Colley, and which I then expressed in general terms, was to send him two regiments and a wing of Infantry, 1,500 drafts to the Infantry regiments now with him, two regiments of Cavalry with their horses, and a battery of horse or field Artillery, all to arrive in March. Sir George Colley, in reply, late on Friday night, asked only for the Infantry drafts, one regiment of Cavalry, and some Artillery drafts. I conferred with Lord Kimberley and my Military Advisers on Saturday, and we determined to send all that Sir George Colley had expressed his readiness to accept, and in addition another Cavalry regiment with their horses and a transport company of the Army Service Corps with their mules, and all the necessary arrangements have been made accordingly. My noble Friend the Member for Haddingtonshire (Lord Elcho) will be interested in knowing that we are sending out with the Cavalry regiment from this country a supply of long Martini-Henry rifles with slings, and I hope that the experiment will be satisfactory. My right hon. and gallant Friend also asks mo what telegrams we have received. Since those published in this morning's papers the only telegram of importance is the following, dated yesterday, from the General Officer Commanding, Natal and Transvaal, to the Secretary of State for War:— Mount Prospect, Feb. 13, 3.10 p.m. Report received from Administrator, Pretoria, dated the 14th of January. Successful attack on the 6th, by Colonel Gildea, with 400 men, on laager on Reman's River; Boers twice fired on troops after hoisting white flag. All well, forts safe and well provisioned. Boers' proclamation, 20th, full of false statements. Anstruther's death confirmed. Report received from Major Montague, Standerton, dated the 30th of January; attacked on the 29th of December (the next three words are unintelligible, they read thus—'infested smee has); lost nine killed and wounded; raised corps 75 mounted men; keeps circle two miles clear; acting on defensive. Health and spirits excellent; position safe; can hold out two months if necessary.

SIR WALTER B. BARTTELLOT

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether there is any truth in the statement that only one troop of the 15th Hussars now serving in South Africa was mounted?

MR. CHILDERS

Sir, it is difficult to answer such a Question without Notice; but so far as I can recollect, and I think my memory is accurate, no such statement has been made by Sir George Colley or by any officer acting in Natal or the Transvaal.