§ MR. STORY-MASKELYNEasked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether Her Majesty's Government has taken adequate stops for the protection from Ashanti attack of the important mining establishments in the neighbourhood of the Anacobra River, in which a large amount of English and French capital is embarked?
MR. GRANT DUFFThese mines are, as my hon. Friend is aware, far inland, and the Company to which they belong was warned in the most distinct manner by the late Secretary of State that Her Majesty's Government could assume no responsibility for the protection of its interests or of the persons employed in its service. The small force which we have on the Gold Coast may, if war breaks out, be fully employed elsewhere. With regard to the probability of war breaking out, I may take this opportunity of replying to a Question of which private Notice has been given me by the right hon. Gentleman opposite (Sir Michael Hicks-Beach). The latest news which I have seen from the Gold Coast came not to us, but to the Admiralty, and is dated the 10th of February. Matters wore then precisely in statu quo, so that the probability of war breaking out had not increased.