HC Deb 12 June 1884 vol 289 cc91-2
MR. BOURKE

asked, Whether the Government had received any additional information with regard to Berber?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

No, Sir. Beyond the information which I gave to the House yesterday, at the close of the proceedings, no fuller information had been received by the Foreign Office, up to the time I left with regard to Berber. I may state, however, that a telegram has been received to-day from Admiral Hewett from Adowah, in which he states that his Mission has been successful; that he would leave for the coast on the 4th; that a Treaty had been signed securing free transit through Massowah from Abyssinia, and also that a Slave Trade Treaty had been signed.

SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFF

Is there anything said in the Treaty about the territorial cession of Massowah?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I have given the House all the information in the possession of the Government; but, as I have already stated in debate, it was hoped that the negotiations would be successful without the territorial cession of Massowah, the King of Abyssinia being satisfied with the right of free commercial access to the town and port; and, in this hope, I gather Her Majesty's Government have not been mistaken.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Can the noble Lord inform the House where Admiral Hewett is now?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

No, I cannot; but the telegram gives the date at which he expected to leave Adowah and reach the coast.

LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL

Is the noble Lord unaware that a telegram appears in all the evening papers, that he has arrived on the coast?

LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE

I said nothing to the contrary. I merely gave such information as had boon received at the Admiralty and Foreign Office.