HC Deb 12 July 1883 vol 281 cc1224-5
MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

asked the Under Seecretary of State for the Colonies, Whether Her Majesty's Government have any information confirming the report that a great battle has been fought in Zululand between Cetewayo and Oham, and that the latter is now a prisoner at Ulundi; and, what steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take to carry out the Zulu Settlement of 1882, and to put an end to the sanguinary civil war which the restoration of Cetewayo has caused?

MR. GUY DAWNAT

asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, Whether he has received any official confirmation of the report published in the "Globe" of yesterday evening to the effect that Oham's forces have been defeated in a great battle by Cetewayo's followers, and that Oham himself has been taken a prisoner to Ulundi?

MR. EVELYN ASHLEY

In reply to the two Questions, I will read to the House the paraphrase of a telegram received late last night from Sir Henry Bulwer— July 11.—The accounts of the losses in Zululand given by the English newspapers of the 18th of May are very much exaggerated. To-day I hear that the Usutu party made an attack upon Oham's stronghold, but that the attack has failed. This account, the House will see, appears quite inconsistent with the report to which my attention has been drawn.

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

remarked that the hon. Gentleman had not answered the second part of his Question.

MR. EVELYN ASHLEY

said, it contained matter for debate.

SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman considers that Cetewayo is responsible for this attack?

MR. EVELYN ASHLEY

I really have not information enough to say. This telegram is all the information we have.