§ LORD EUSTACE CECILasked the Secretary of State for War, Whether any reply has been sent by Lord Wolse-ley to the offers made by Colonel Methuen and Sir 0. Warren of the services of 600 Cavalry and 1,000 Colonial and Boer sharpshooters in the Soudan; whether there is any foundation for the statement that has appeared in The 96 Times of the 28th ult. that a proposal has been made to organise a force of 5,000 Zulus; and, whether, in view of the strain upon our very small Army at homo, that or any similar proposal for the employment of Native African troops in the Soudan is likely to meet with the favourable consideration of Her Majesty's Government?
THE MAEQUESS OF HARINGTONI am not aware whether any answer has been sent by Lord Wolseley to the offer of services made by Colonel Methuen and Sir Charles Warren. I do not think there is any foundation for the statement that a proposal has been made to organize a force of 5,000 Zulus for the Soudan; but a proposition has been received from the Lieutenant Governor of Natal for the organization of a corps of Natives of that Colony. It would not be possible, until we have further information as to the progress of affairs in South Africa, to say whether we could take advantage of any of these offers. Of course, the subject will be kept under consideration. Lord Wolseley has expressed himself favourably with regard to the acceptance, with some modifications, of the proposal of Colonel Methuen and Sir Charles Warren.
§ LORD EUSTACE CECILHas Lord Wolseloy given an answer?
THE MAEQUESS OF HARTINGTONI do not know whether he has sent any answer. I said that he transmitted the offers home. Neither do I know whether the offer has been made direct to Lord Wolseley.
§ MR. HEALYasked, whether Great Britain had ever employed any savages against white men since the American War.
§ [No reply.]