§ MR. W. H. JAMES (Gateshead)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, in view of the recent disaster which has fallen upon the Italian armsat Massowah, Her Majesty's Government have offered any expression of sympathy to the Government of Italy as a friendly Power, or extended any offer of co-operation to them so far as circumstances may admit?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)Her Majesty's Government heard with regret that an Italian detachment has suffered great loss in an engagement with an overwhelming force of Abyssinians, and immediately authorized the offer of medical assistance from Egypt in case the medical resources of Massowah should be insufficient. The hospital at Suez has accordingly been placed at the disposal of General Gene by Sir Frederick Stephenson, with the sanction of the Secretary of State. It would be unsuitable to offer to a great Military Power an expression of sympathy on account of such an accident. We ourselves should not like, in similar circumstances, to have the loss of a detachment, which can easily be replaced, treated as a considerable disaster. The Italian Government, with whom we have so many interests in common, are well aware that they may count upon the friendly offices of Her Majesty's Government.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNOR (Donegal, E.)asked whether, when the medical aid was offered to the Italians, Her Majesty's Government were at war with the Abyssinians?
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSONHer Majesty's Government did not enter into hostilities with the Abyssinians by offering succour to the wounded Italians.
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORasked whether the same aid as was extended to the Italians was extended to the Abyssinians?
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSONsaid, that he had no definite information upon the subject; but if there were any wounded Abyssinians at Massowah the surgeons would, doubtless, attend to them.