§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is a fact that the black troops at Suakin have mutinied; and, what steps Her Majesty's Government are taking to supply General Graham with horse artillery and a sufficient force of cavalry? He would also ask, whether it was true that the Marines at Suakin were being mounted?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, Admiral Sir William Hewett has reported that the Black troops at Suakin have refused to obey the orders of their officers. He adds that he will take the first opportunity of sending back Zebehr's Blacks; and I presume, therefore, that it is in that force that the mutiny has occurred. Her Majesty's Government, acting under military advice, are not taking steps to supply Sir Gerald Graham with Horse Artillery, or with more Cavalry, of which arms they have no reason to suppose he has an insufficient force. No requisition has been received from General Graham for additional troops for either of these arms. I have no information respecting the last part of the hon. Member's Question.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTHas General Graham any Horse Artillery at all?
§ VISCOUNT LEWISHAMasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If he will state how the Admiralty ascertained that Admiral Sir W. Hewett required only "four" Marine officers to be sent with "280 more Marines;" and, whether it is a fact that, after the despatch of such Marine reinforcements from the Mediterranean fleet to Suakin, other Marine officers that had been left behind had to be sent some days later from that fleet to follow their men to Suakin; and, if so, by whose order?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSir, the orders as to the number of officers detailed to accompany the reinforcement of Marines sent to Suakin 78 were issued by the Admiralty, who took into consideration, not only the requirements of Sir William Hewett, but the circumstances and possible duties of the ships of the Mediterranean Squadron, and also the limited accommodation for passage in ships of war. Five officers went with the 280 Marines, one with the Marines from the Monarch, and three officers (including a Field Officer to command) were sent from England viâ Brindisi. As soon as the arrival of the Poonah at Malta permitted their being spared, additional officers were despatched from the Mediterranean.
§ VISCOUNT LEWISHAMasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, Whether the Marine Forces landed from Admiral Sir William Hewett's Squadron, on or about the 5th instant, for the defence of Suakin, were, when so placed on shore for purely Military operations, subject to the provisions of the Naval Discipline Act; and, what was the rank of the senior Marine Officer landed on that occasion?
MR. CAMPBELL-BANNREMANThe Marines landed for the defence of Suakin are under the immediate command of the Admiral, and are subject to the Naval Discipline Act. I am not aware who was the senior Marine officer landed there on or about the 15th instant; but I have no doubt Sir William Hewett made the best disposition of his officers for the service he had to discharge.