§ MR. FRANCIS BUXTONasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether he can give the House any information as to the movements and present position of General Sir Charles Warren and the Troops under his command in Bechuanaland; and, whether the endeavours of the Cape Government "to settle the difficulties which have arisen without recourse to force" were likely to be successful, or whether Military operations have been commenced with the object of clearing Montsioa's country of freebooters?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONThe settlement proposed by the Cape Ministers was not deemed adequate by Her Majesty's Government, and the former have retired from further intervention in the question, which has been confided to Sir Charles Warren. Sir Charles Warren's Force is being pushed forward up the country; and by the latest advices we have received, the troops were concentrated at Barkly West. Sir Charles Warren himself was on the border and in communication with President Krügor as to the beaconing of the frontier line laid down by the London Convention of 1884, and as to the squatters beyond the line in the so-called Land of Goshen. From the latest infor- 1045 mation, which bears date the 27th of January, the prospects of a peaceful settlement seemed hopeful. The telegraph cable has been broken since the beginning of February; but arrangements have been made for obtaining a full Report on the political and military situation directly the communication shall be re-opened.