MR. MACEARLANE (Argyll)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the town of Witu was attacked by a force lauded from Her Majesty's ships, and a number of persons killed?
§ *SIR E. GREYThe town of Witu has not been attacked, but a fortified stronghold named Panwani, where a Chief named Fumo Omari had established himself with a band of robbers. He was understood to have accepted the terms offered him by Mr. Rodd, the acting Consul General, but treacherously fired on the escort which had been landed from the ships. It therefore became necessary to take the position by storm, which was done with great gallantry by the Naval Brigade, assisted by Soudanese and Zanzibar troops.