§ MR. M'COANasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether his attention has been called to the following statements appearing in the "Freman's Journal" of to-day, which have been telegraphed to the London papers, containing two allegations with regard to Sir Garnet Wolseley? The "Freeman's Journal" said—
We do not speak without knowledge when we say that it is a matter of common gossip that last year during the debates on the Coercion Bill. Sir Garnet Wolseley expressed the hope that if Irismen revolted he might be sent to quell the disturbance, in order to teach them what war really meant. We do not speak without knowledge when we assert that Sir Garnet Wolseley declared when going to Egypt that he only felt one alloy to the pleasure of that military promenade, and that was, that the Irish might take advantage of his asbence to rise, and he not there to suppress them.
§ MR. CHILDERSThe hon. Member takes a most extraordinary course in asking me to answer without Notice a Question in reference to something in a newspaper which I have not seen; but I followed as well as I could what he quoted, and out of courtesy to him I will answer him to the best of my power. The extract from the newspaper refers to something which, it is said, has been stated in common gossip. Now, I believe that common gossip commonly lies. I, therefore, do not credit for a moment statements founded on such a basis; but I will go further, and say that during the long time I have known Sir Garnet Wolseley—and certainly since I have known him whilst holding the Office of Secretary of State—he has never said anything which could, by the remotest construction, be construed to afford such a meaning as that which has been suggested.