§ DR. CAMERON (Glasgow, College)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received any information regarding the reported attack on Major Johnston's expedition by a Portuguese force on the Pungwé River; whether he has yet received details of the reported outrage by the Portuguese on the same river on Sir John Willoughby's expedition; whether he has yet received details regarding the seizure of the British steamer Countess of Carnarvon by the Portuguese on the Limpopo River; and whether ho proposes to lay Papers on all or any of these occurrences before the House?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIA (Sir J. GORST,) (for Sir J. FERGUSSON) ChathamWe have received no information as to any expedition having been taken by Major Johnston up the Pungwé River. The reported hostilities (as to which numerous reports, but no reliable information has been received) appear to have taken place beyond Massi - Kessi. A Report has been received from Sir John Willoughby respecting the stoppage at Beira of his expedition, and it is being considered. Meanwhile, the vessels and lighters detained have been released; the Agnes has gone up the Pungwé, but the expedition has been detained at Mopanda as a precautionary measure, in view of the reported hostilities by the British authorities acting with the Portuguese Governor. Reports as to the seizure of the Countess of Carnarvon have been received, but they are incom- 1314 plete, as the proceedings of the Court at Lorenzo Marques have not reached us. Meanwhile, she has been released on the Vice Consul undertaking that the owners will abide by the decision of the two Governments. In the present incomplete state of information it is not proposed to lay Papers.