HC Deb 04 July 1881 vol 262 cc1963-5
LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Government have ordered a ship or ships of war to proceed to Sfax for the protection of the 800 British subjects and the extensive mercantile interests belonging to them; and, if not, why not; whether it is true that already a Maltese British subject has been slaughtered and mutilated by the Arabs; and, whether the only protection for which British subjects can look is that which shall be afforded to them by the French Military and Naval Forces already there?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

On Friday last, after communications between the Admiralty and the Foreign Office, orders were despatched to Captain Tryon, of the Monarch, to send down a force to Sfax. The Monarch left Goletta for Sfax, and arrived there on Saturday. The Candor also proceeded to visit various towns on the coast. A telegram from Her Majesty's Agent at Tunis on Saturday states that the whole European and Hebrew community had embarked and were out of danger. Some Maltese attempted to return to Sfax for the purpose of buying provisions, and were fired upon by the Natives; one was killed, and another seriously wounded; but we have not heard of any mutilation taking place. I may mention that, in addition to the English and French Naval Forces present, there are also Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish men-of-war on the coast.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Is it the case that we have withdrawn from Tunis and sent to Sfax the only British man-of-war on the African Coast?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

There were two British men-of-war on the coast, and both have gone on to Sfax.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Is there any ship-of-war at Tunis?

MR. TREVELYAN

Captain Tryon proceeded to Sfax with the Monarch and with the Condor as a gunboat, which could at once give help. The first telegram which we received from Captain Tryon states— Have proceeded to Sfax to afford protection to British and other European residents. That was followed in about half-an-hour by this telegram— Your order to afford protection to British and other foreigners is to be limited to giving refuge to those who seek it and assisting in the embarkation of those who wish it. Do not cooperate in any hostile operations with the French. The third telegram was— Send the Condor to Tunis when you can spare her.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

I will, to-morrow, ask whether the French contemplate bombarding the town of Sfax; and, if so, whether the English Government will make representations with reference to the warehouses, goods, and other property belonging to British subjects in that district?

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether there is any British vessel at Goletta?

MR. TREVELYAN

The Condor is going back as soon as possible.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

No other vessel?

MR. TREVELYAN

No.