§ MR. ALEXANDER M'ARTHUR (Leicester)asked the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can state to the House what reply Her Majesty's Government intend to give the Chief Lo Bengula, who has just sent Envoys to this country to ask for protection against foreign invasion and for advice about white men who come to his country to dig for gold; and is it intended to send the reply by the hand of a duly accredited representative of the Imperial Government?
§ BARON H. DE WORMSIt would not be showing due consideration to Lo Bengula if Her Majesty's Government were to publish the reply about to be given to him many weeks before it can reach him, and any inaccurate summary of it, if telegraphed out, might cause serious misunderstanding. The reply, however, will be friendly, and will contain the recommendation mentioned in the answer which I gave to the hon. Gentleman on the 15th inst. It is not proposed to send the reply by the hands of a special messenger from home.
§ MR. JOHN MORLEY (Newcastle-on-Tyne)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the notes of the private inquiry held by the present County Court Judge Curran in reference to the Phoenix Park murders were furnished to agents of the Times; and, if so, by whom?
§ *MR. A. J. BALFOURThe notes mentioned were neither furnished to, nor in any way seen by, the agents of the Times.
§ MR. J. MORLEYIn whose hands are these documents kept?
§ *MR. A. J. BALFOURI cannot answer the question off-hand, but I suppose they are in the Castle.
§ MR. CHANCECan neither a copy, nor an extract, nor a précis be given?
§ *MR. A. J. BALFOURThat is the information supplied to me.