§ MR. LABOUCHEREI beg to ask Under Secretary of. State for the 1147 Colonies whether he has observed a letter in The Daily Chronicle of 15th November, from the Secretary of the London Church Missionary Society, enclosing a letter from a friend of his, Mr. Willoughby, of Palapye, in which it is stated that the Matabele impi near Victoria Fort were assailed for not having crossed the frontier within one hour, although it was 30 miles distant; that they were tired into and many killed, although they made no resistance, and had in many cases offered to surrender; whether, in view of the above statements, Her Majesty's Government contemplate a full and independent inquiry into these transactions with a view to punish, if found guilty, those concerned in them; and whether, in view of the fact of these accusations against the Chartered Company, in respect to their conduct towards the Matabele before "warlike operations" took place, Her Majesty's Government will take immediate steps to prevent their recurrence now that the forces of the Chartered Company appear to be in possession of the capital of the Matabele, have vanquished and slain some of them, and are in pursuit of those who have not been slain?
§ MR. S. BUXTONAs I stated in the House the other day, Sir Henry Loch had already been instructed to investigate the truth of the conflicting reports which have been published of the affair referred to, as soon as the conclusion of the present, operations should enable him so to do, and the letter of Mr. Willoughby has also been forwarded to Sir H. Loch. As regards the third question, I hope hostilities are now at an end; and I may add that Sir H. Loch has despatched his Military Secretary, Major Sawyer, to Buluwayo.
§ MR. LABOUCHEREHas my hon. Friend received any information leading to the belief that hostilities are at an end?