HC Deb 03 November 1893 vol 18 cc110-1
BARON H. DE WORMS (Liverpool, East Toxteth)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies if he can confirm the reports in the Press of the defeat and flight of Lobeugula, and of the occupation of Buluwayo by the forces of the Chartered South Africa Company; and whether Her Majesty's Government have any additional information on the subject which they can communicate to the House?

MR. LABOUCHERE (Northampton)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has seen the telegram from the correspondent of The Daily News at Victoria, in which it is stated that the loss of the Matabeles in the conflict that took place near Buluwayo is reported to have exceeded 3,000 killed and wounded, whilst it would seem from other telegrams that the loss on the side of the Chartered Company consisted of two men killed and six wounded, and a further telegram, in which it is stated that in a subsequent engagement the Matabeles lost heavily; and whether any official information of a reliable character has been received conflicting with these telegrams?

MR. S. BUXTON

We have nothing additional to communicate to that which has been published in the Press, but we have no reason to doubt the general correctness of the reports.

SIR J. FERGUSSON (Manchester, N. E.)

Arising out of the question of the hon. Member for Northampton, will the hon. Gentleman say whether the Colonial Office have any reason to believe there has been any unnecessary bloodshed by the action of the force employed in the field?

MR. LABOUCHERE

When the hon. Gentleman answers that question will he also say whether he considers the massacre of 3,000 men is unnecessary bloodshed or not?

MR. S. BUXTON

I do not think it is my business to say whether there was massacre or unnecessary bloodshed. I am glad to see from the newspapers to-day that, instead of there having been 3,000 killed, there were only some 500, though even that, I am bound to say, is a heavy loss.

SIR J. FERGUSSON

I mean to ask whether the Colonial Office have reason to believe there was unnecessary bloodshed?

MR. S. BUXTON

No.

BARON H. DE WORMS

Have the Colonial Office any additional information to supplement that which appears in the public Press?

MR. S. BUXTON

No; I said we had no additional information, but, as far as we know, the reports which have appeared in the Press are substantially accurate.

MR. A. C. MORTON (Peterborough)

I should like to ask the hon. Gentleman whether the Government approve of this murder of 3,000, or even 500 men, for the purpose of plundering and stealing their land——

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!