THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONWith regard to some Questions which were put to me yesterday respecting the Abyssinians at Suakin, to which it was impossible to give an answer at the time, perhaps the House will allow me to read two telegrams on the subject. As soon as Lord Northbrook saw the statements yesterday morning in the newspapers and the comments that were made upon them in this House, he telegraphed to Admiral Hewett as follows: —
March 25, 2.30 p.m. Please report circumstances of alleged disbandment of Abyssinian scouts reported by Press correspondents today.In answer to that telegram the following telegram has been received from Admiral Hewett:—The Abyssinians, frontier robbers, &c., outlawed from their country with Debbub their chief; they have been guilty of robbing many caravans and murdering people. Debbub has just been sent to Cairo by order of Government, nearly all are required as witnesses on his trial; they were taken from Massowah by Baker to prevent them committing further robberies. Graham tells me they an: perfectly useless. During the last few days they have been entering Arabs' houses and ill-using their women, on plea that they are Abyssinians in slavery. One case was brought before me where an abducted women preferred returning to her master to remaining with the Abyssinians; they have even new some women concealed. They were a danger to everybody with their fire-arms, and shot a women dead the other day. I told them they must return their arms, which they did; also that they are to go to Cairo as witnesses.
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLasked if it was true that the Abyssinians, who were now described as such villains, were employed by our military authorities as scouts, and were represented as very useful in that capacity?