§ LORD EUSTACE CECILinquired, Whether the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs could give the House any further information as to the spread of cholera in Cairo; and, whether it is true that all the troops had been removed from the town to the desert?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI think, Sir, that Questions as to the troops had better be addressed to the Secretary of State for War. In regard to the first Question, I regret to say that there can be no doubt the last accounts in regard to cholera are not at all of the same character as those that I was able to give on former occasions, when the Returns were undoubtedly comparatively favourable. The last in formation I have is from Mr. Cookson, of Alexandria. It 1915 is dated 19th July, and gives the following Returns:—
Deaths from cholera, July 18, Damietta, 17; Mansourah, 38; Samannoud, 27; Chobar, 17; nine other villages, 36; Menzaleh, on 15th, 20; Cairo and Ghizeh, for 24 hours ending 8 a.m., on 18th, 65.That, I am sorry to say, is a terrible increase.
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONWith regard to the second part of the Question of the noble Lord (Lord Eustace Cecil), I may read to the House a telegram I hare received from Egypt in reply to one from the Adjutant General. The telegrams are as follows:—
From Adjutant General to General Officer Commanding, Cairo, July 16, 1883.—In continuation of mine of 26th June, if cholera reaches Cairo consider the advisability of dispersing troops in the desert along Fresh Water Canal by detachments of quarter or half battalions. Have all your plans ready beforehand for carrying out whatever scheme you may determine upon after consultation with doctors.From General Officer Commanding in Egypt, Cairo, to Commander-in-Chief, Horse Guards (received July 17).—Yours 16th. Most undesirable to move troops under canvas until cholera becomes much more serious or until a case occurs among troops. Have all my plans ready; prepared to move under canvas instantly when necessary, first of all to desert near Helouan and Abasseyeh, and afterwards into more scattered camps along Sweet Water Canal. Doctors entirely concur.There is another telegram, which runs as follows:—From General Officer Commanding, Cairo, July 18, 1883, to War Secretary (received July 18).—Health of troops Cairo very good; no special disease. At Alexandria not so satisfactory. Cornwall Regiment 15 per cent sick, chiefly fevers. Percentage of sick whole command 8, of which one-fourth venereal.