§ MR. LABOUCHEREasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Whether his attention has been called to a statement in a Letter published by The Roma, an Italian newspaper, from Massowah, asserting that 500 prisoners have arrived there from Suakin, and that they are now in the custody of the Italian authorities; whether this statement is correct; whether there are any women and children amongst them, and what is to be their fate; whether he has observed a telegram from Sir G. Graham to the Secretary of War, dated 15th April, in which it is stated that the mounted infantry have brought in 40 prisoners, including women and children, who were "evidently on their way to Osman Digna," together with 12 camels and 500 sheep, although there was "no fighting;" whether these men, women, and children are being detained in custody, after their property has been confiscated; and, whether it is in accordance with the usages of civilised war that non-combatants, including women and children, should be taken prisoners, and that they should be deprived of their flocks and herds?
§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true (as circumstantially stated in the public prints), that Natives taken prisoners in the Suakin Country are transported to Massowah in the steamers of the Egyptian Government, loaded with irons, and treated as felons?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEIn reply to these Questions I may state that Her Majesty's Government have no knowledge of the despatch of any prisoners to Massowah. With regard to the second Question of the hon. Member for Northampton (Mr. Labouchere), I am informed by the War Office that in a telegram from General Graham, which appears in this day's papers, he reports that the prisoners referred to in his telegram of the 15th have been released, but the cattle kept, the flocks and herds having been supplies on their way to the camp of Osman Digna. I may add that these Questions would more 149 properly have been addressed to the War Office.