HC Deb 05 March 1885 vol 295 cc114-6
SIR GEORGE CAMPBELL

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether there is truth in the following items of recent news from the seat of war in the Soudan:— The so-called friendly tribes are rapidly becoming very unfriendly since they do not see immediate prospect of farther gain by friendliness."—(Several Papers.) The destruction of property by British troops has caused a feeling of intense hostility on the part of the tribes between Korti and Abu Hamad."—[Times, March 2nd.) The weather at Korti is becoming hotter and hotter, and several cases of typhoid have already occurred. Lord Wolseley's eyes have been affected by the climate of the Soudan."—[Standard, March 3rd); and, whether, in view of the great losses which must necessarily occur when the real hot weather shortly sets in, Her Majesty's Government will consider the expediency of bringing the troops back by water in comparative comfort without delay, and dealing with the Mahdi by peace or by war at a more convenient season?

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

We have no information to the effect that the so-called friendly tribes are rapidly becoming very unfriendly, although. Lord Wolseley has intimated that there is some doubt as to the disposition of the tribe of which Hussein Pasha Kalifa was Chief. Lord Wolseley said that Chief was in the Mahdi's camp; and it would be unwise, in those circumstances, to rely upon them. We have no confirmation of the report that the destruction of property by British troops has excited a feeling of intense hostility on the part of the tribes between Korti and Abu Hamad. As to the statement that the weather at Korti is becoming hotter and hotter, and several cases of typhoid have already occurred, we have received no report to that effect. In fact, almost all the sickness that has taken place for a considerable time past has consisted of cases of enteric fever; but we have not heard that the prevalence of that complaint has recently increased. We have received no report as to the alleged statement as to Lord Wolseley's eyes being affected by the climate of the Soudan; and, in regard to the last part of the Question, for reasons stated more fully in the recent debate, Her Majesty's Government do not think it would be expedient to bring back the troops by water from the positions they now occupy.

MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR

asked whether it was the case that the British Authorities had furnished the tribe spe- cifically alluded to by the noble Marquess with 1,000 rifles?

THE MARQUESS OE HAETINGTON

That may have been done some time ago. I have no recollection of the matter having occurred recently.