§ SIR HENRY TYLER (for Mr. ONSLOW)asked the First Lord of the Treasury, At what distance from the scene where the recent engagement between the Amir of Afghanistan and 128 Ayoob Khan has been fought is there any considerable force of Anglo-Indians, and under whose command?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, my right hon. Friend has asked me to answer this Question. I had, perhaps, better state all that it is at present possible to state with regard to the circumstances which have occurred in Afghanistan. The only official telegram which has been received, and which has not been communicated to the Press, or read to the House, is the following, received late last night:—
From Viceroy, Simla, July 28.Two Sirdars have reached Chaman from scene of action, which lasted from 8 to 11a.m. They say the Cabuli regiments fought at first, but, after action, Khanabad regiment went over in a body to Ayoob. The other three dispersed and fled. They heard firing in Candahar direction last night and again this morning. General Ghalam Haidar went first to the city before starting for Cabul. They estimate the loss at 300 to 400 on both sides.With reference to the distance from the seat of action of the force of Anglo-Indians, I may say that the headquarters force, under the command of General Hume, is at Quetta and in the neighbouring districts of Pishin and Sibi. That division amounts to a force of between 5,000 and 6,000 men; but, up to the present, I cannot say what is the exact distribution of the forces. The most advanced fort which has been occupied—I am not certain whether it is occupied at present or not, but I think it probably is—is Chaman, about 85 miles from Candahar; and Karez-i-Atta, where the recent action took place, is situated about 25 miles beyond Candahar. I have received a private telegram from the Viceroy stating that he had directed General Hume to concentrate all the troops at his command, if necessary, in the neighbourhood of Quetta, so as to be able to cope with any fresh disturbance that may arise there.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLI wish to ask the Prime Minister what meaning he wishes the House to draw from the expression he made use of last night—"A considerable Anglo-Indian force is in the neighbourhood of the action." [Mr. GLADSTONE dissented.] I do not know whether these are the Prime Minister's exact words. These were the words that fell from him, as reported in The Times of this morning, and 129 I want to know the exact meaning to be put upon them?
MR. GLADSTONEI cannot give any meaning to the words—I never used them. I certainly did not say that there was a large Anglo-Indian force in the neighbourhood where the action took place. What I said was "in the neighbourhood of that portion of Afghanistan—namely, Candahar." That is not where the action took place.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLI beg to ask the Prime Minister to state distinctly what impression is to be drawn from the expression used by him last night with regard to the presence of a large Anglo-Indian force in the neighbourhood?
MR. GLADSTONEIn my view, the question of the noble Lord has been answered by the telegram just read by the noble Lord.
COLONEL STANLEYMay I ask the noble Lord a question with reference to the answer he has given? He stated that the troops are close to Quetta. Are we to understand that in consequence of the directions given to General Hume to concentrate the forces under his command at Quetta, the troops are to be withdrawn from Pishin and Sibi?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONI cannot give any further information than I have received. A division, as I have stated, under General Hume's command, numbering between 5,000 and 6,000 men, is, no doubt, at present in occupation of various positions in the district. If General Hume considers it necessary to concentrate the whole force at Quetta, it would involve withdrawal from Pishin and Sibi.
§ MR. E. STANHOPEWould the noble Lord make inquiry on the subject? Are Pishin and Sibi to be left entirely at the mercy of—
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONPerhaps the hon. Gentleman will finish his question. At the mercy of whom?
§ MR. E. STANHOPEWhat I intended to say was whether they were to be left to anarchy?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThe Viceroy appears to have considered that any excitement in the district which was likely to follow the report of the victory of Ayoob Khan would be best met by the concentration of the forces under General Hume's command. It is impossible for me to state at this moment 130 what is the position in regard to Pishin. No doubt, General Hume will take the measures which he considers bestadapted for preserving the tranquillity of the district now occupied by British troops.
§ SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOTI wish to ask the noble Lord whether any application had been made by the Ameer for the assistance of British troops?
§ SIR HENRY TYLERMay I ask the noble Lord a Question, of which I gave Notice at the commencement of the Sitting, Whether he would be so good as to inform the House what steps, if any, Her Majesty's Government intend to take, and what attitude they propose to adopt, with reference to the circumstances of the defeat in Afghanistan—that is to say, what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government as to supporting Abdurrahman after his defeat?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONI have no further communication to make to the House. No doubt, if the Viceroy considers further steps necessary he will communicate to Her Majesty's Government; but until I have received further information from the Government of India it is not proposed to take any further steps.
§ LORD ELCHOI should like, if my noble Friend will excuse me, to trouble him with one more question. It is with reference to a possible contingency, and the course the Government will take. Supposing Ayoob Khan gets possession of Candahar and the Khojak Pass, which, as everbody knows, is a most important pass, will the Government allow the pass to be occupied by Ayoob?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONI really think it would be unnecessary, and probably inconvenient, that I should answer the question.