§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether Her Majesty's Government have arranged to send a force for the protection of British Colonists in Mashonaland in view of the threatening attitude of the Matabeles?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. S. BUXTON,) Tower Hamlets, PoplarThe duty of preserving peace and order in the territory under the control of the British South Africa Company attaches to the Company under the Charter; and of this they were more than once informed by the late Secretary of State. Sir H. Loch informs the Secretary of State that Mr. Rhodes, Managing Director, says that the Company "ask for nothing and want nothing," and Her Majesty's Government have no reason to believe 1216 that the Company is not in a position to fulfil their responsibilities. Her Majesty's Government have strongly deprecated any aggressive movement on the part of the Company, and Sir H. Loch has informed them that no offensive movement is to be made without his authority, and his action has been approved by Her Majesty's Government. I may add that, telegraphing on Saturday evening, Sir H. Loch has informed us that there is no confirmation of the newspaper reports of renewed raiding of the Matabele in Mashonaland. He also informs us that he hears that Lobengula is sending Indunas to Palapye; and Sir H. Loch took the opportunity yesterday of sending a message to Lobengula by some Matabele boys who were returning to Buluwayo to the effect that he would be glad to receive the Indunas if they came with words of peace and friendship.
§ COMMANDER BETHELL (York, E.R., Holderness)May I ask whether Sir Henry Loch or the British South Africa Company is the chief authority in deciding to attack the Matabeles?
§ MR. S. BUXTONThe British South Africa Company have full responsibility for peace and order in their territory; but under the Charter there is authority to the Secretary of State, in case of any dispute between the Company and the Chiefs in their territory, to interfere if necessary; and under that authority Sir Henry Loch will not allow any aggressive movement on the part of the Company until the whole case has been put before him.
§ COMMANDER BETHELLDoes not Sir Henry Loch's interference involve the employment of the forces of the Crown?
§ MR. S. BUXTONI hope not. The object of the interference is to prevent any forward movement on the pare of the Company.