§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether his attention has been called to the perilous position of the great town of Kassala, which contains 20,000 inhabitants; and, whether Her Majesty's Government are taking steps to prevent the brave defenders of Kassala from sharing the fate of those of Sinkat, Berber, and Khartoum?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICE(who replied) said: Yes, Sir; if the hon. Member will refer to the Papers before the House he will see that Kassala is specifically mentioned in Lord Wolse-ley's instructions. Colonel Chermside is 1616 authorized to make, so far as the means at his disposal allow, arrangements with the local tribes to endeavour to send aid in money and provisions to Kassala; but that town is outside the range of the present projected British military operations. The reported victory over the rebels near Kassala was confirmed by Her Majesty's Consul at Suakin on the 25th. The enemy's loss was estimated at 3,600.