§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the Government will make arrangements to secure the friendly tribes around Suakin from destruction? In elucidation of the Question, he begged further to ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether his attention had been called to a statement by The Times Correspondent at Suakin to the following effect:—
On receiving the telegram to hold the line on Saturday, permission was given to the political officers to receive those who offered to submit; 500 came in, and parties of 10 or 12 arrived daily. There was much consternation, therefore, on the receipt of yesterday's telegram as to the abandonment of the Soudan, for the position of these men is desperate. They will certainly be destroyed by Osman Digna, who, in fact, has sent an order to Saadoun to destroy Amarars, Mohammed Guilies, and Fadlabs, and to carry off their women.
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this Question. I am only able to say that I have been in communication with Lord Wolseley on the subject, and that he has promised to send a further Report.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTfurther asked, whether Lord Wolseley had not made a distinct recommendation to Her Majesty's Government that the Suakin-Berber line of railway should be continued at least as far as the hills, which are only 20 miles beyond the position now reached?