§ SIR STAFFORD NORTHCOTESir, I put a Question to the Government last Friday night, and gave Notice that I would repeat it to-night. In the first place, I asked whether the Government had received confirmation of the surrender of Tokar; and, secondly, what effect that surrender, if true, would have upon the operations in Egypt? If the noble Lord can give us any information with regard to those operations we shall be obliged?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, although the report of the surrender of Tokar was received in this country on Friday, yet the telegrams which were received on that day and on Saturday, both from Trinkitat and Suakin, appeared to throw some doubt upon the accuracy of the reports; and it was only late yesterday evening that Sir William Hewett telegraphed from Suakin confirming the reports. There was, therefore, no reason for suspending the movement of troops to Trinkitat. Instructions were sent on Saturday to General Graham at Trinkitat, to some extent restricting the scope of his operations; but giving him very full discretion to act under certain contingencies. He has been asked further to report fully to the Government upon the position which he finds existing at Trinkitat. But that report has not yet been received. The principal object to which his attention will now be directed will be to secure the safety of Suakin, which appears at present to be threatened by the tribes. I do not think at the present moment it would be desirable, or at all expedient, that I should enter into any further detail in regard to the instructions to General Graham, or the movements which it may be necessary to undertake.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLMay I ask the noble Lord whether 1877 General Graham is empowered to negotiate with Osman Digma, or to slaughter his forces?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONGeneral Graham has I believe, no special instructions as regards that; but I presume he has the same discretion that is usually given to the commanding officer of troops on active service.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the noble Lord, whether it was a fact that Tokar did not surrender until the 22nd; and whether he could state why the promise made to Sir William Hewett on the 12th February, that a sufficient force to relieve Tokar would be at Suakin on the 19th, was not carried out?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONI do not think we have any information yet as to the exact date on which Tokar did surrender. The telegram referred to by the hon. Member gave the 19th as the day on which it was anticipated that the force would be at Suakim.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREasked, whether it was in the discretion of General Graham to advance against the forces of Osman Digma beyond Suakin?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThat appears to me to be one of those Questions which it would be extremely undesirable to answer. I have already stated the general object of the instructions to General Graham, but I do not think it would be at all desirable to state the precise character of those instructions.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFasked how General Graham could provide for the safety of Suakin when he was with his forces at Trinkitat?
§ MR. O'DONNELLinquired whether the noble Lord could state, as a matter of policy of Her Majesty's Government, what was the nature of the relations between them and Osman Digma, seeing that the latter was, as he understood, the Lieutenant of the Ameer of Kordofan, to whom Her Majesty's Government had proffered the terms of a friendly alliance?
§ [No answer was given to these Questions.]