MR. GUYDAWNAYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether there is any truth in the report published in The Daily News that 40,000 Abyssinians are now on their way to relieve Kassala; whether, in that case, their operations are to be limited to the relief of Kassala; and, whether their movements can be so far controlled as to prevent their ravaging and laying waste the country inhabited by the Shorkerizeh or other Soudan tribes, who, during the last twelve months, have remained loyal to the Egyptian Government?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEKing John of Abyssinia informed Admiral Hewett that he should not allow Kassala to be held by the Arabs, so that on the retirement of the Egyptian garrison from that place it may be expected that King John will occupy it; but we have no positive information as to the number and disposition of his troops. We believe that the King also contemplates occupying Amedib, which is on the road from Kassala to Senbit. Her Majesty's Government have, from their recent communications with King John, no reason to suppose he intends adopting the course contemplated in the latter part of the hon. Member's Question.
§ MR. M'COANasked whether the occupation of Kassala formed any part of the agreement between the English Government and that of the Khedive?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI should prefer the hon. Member seeing 1415 the Papers which I have undertaken to lay upon the Table of the House on Tuesday next.