HC Deb 11 July 1884 vol 290 cc829-30
MR. J. LOWTHER

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Government were in possession of any information respecting the alleged disaffection of the Mudir of Dongola; and, whether they had any news to give the House of the position of General Gordon at Khartoum?

MR. W. E. FORSTER

said, he wished to know whether the noble Lord had seen a telegram which had appeared that morning in a daily paper; and, whether the Government had any information respecting a statement that had been made by a British subject at Dongola to a correspondent of that paper to the effect that the Mudir of Dongola had given up the place to the Mahdi, and also that he and other Christians had been threatened with slavery and loss of property unless they became Mahomedans?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

No; I can answer both Questions in the negative. It is quite true that there have been reports, some of which have readied the Foreign Office, as to alleged treachery on the part of the Mudir of Dongola; but I would remind the right hon. Gentleman of the statement made by the Prime Minister the other day, which, I believe, met the approbation of the House generally—that, in the absence of the clearest evidence, it would not be right for Her Majesty's Government to say a single word which might afterwards turn out to be premature, suspecting the fidelity of any officials in the Soudan.

MR. J. LOWTHER

said, that the noble Lord had not answered the latter part of his Question—namely, whether the Government were in receipt of any news with respect to General Gordon, and up to what date the latest news carried them?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

The date of the latest news is still the same as that I have frequently stated—the 10th of April. Since then there have been only reports based on news brought by pilgrims and others, which, as I have stated, ought to be received with considerable caution.

MR. CARTWRIGHT

asked the noble Lord what was the latest information which the authorities had received from Dongola, and which they considered authentic?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I do not think I can tell exactly. I must have Notice of the Question.