§ SIR GEOEGE CAMPBELLasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether, since the advance of British Troops by the Nile towards Berber is now stopped, he will also stop any infructuous advance on the Bed Sea side, except such as may be possible before the greatest heat, and without undue risk, to facilitate the retirement of the garrison of Kassala; and, if that garrison cannot be relieved on such conditions, whether they will be immediately informed that they had better come to terms with their co-religionists and countrymen?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON,in reply, said, he had no reason to think that General Graham or Lord Wolseley, under whose general orders General Graham was placed, would be disposed to make any advance during the hot weather. The campaign under Sir Gerald Graham would, no doubt, be governed by the conditions of climate and by other considerations referred to in the Question.
§ In reply to a further Question by Sir GEORGE CAMPBELL,
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, he had no doubt that if General Graham found it was possible for him to do anything to facilitate the relief of the garrison of Kassala he would do so; but he did not imagine that it would be possible for General Graham on his arrival to make any movement in that direction.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked, whether the Government adhered to the statement, which was practically a death warrant, that Kassala was outside the sphere of British operations, or whether they would make some statement to counteract the impression which had been created?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON,in reply, said, that Kassala was the subject of the next Question to which his noble Friend the Under Secretary of State for Foreign, Affairs would reply.