§ SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies about what number of Europeans—men, women, and children—are now resident in Mashonaland; what is the distance of the nearest; British military force from Mashonaland; and what steps are now being taken by the Government to organise a mobile force for the speedy relief of British subjects in Mashonaland, in case necessity should arise?
§ MR. S. BUXTON(1) It is estimated that there are about 1,500 adult European men in Mashonaland, of whom 500 are in the Volunteers or Police, and the other 900 liable to military service in the Company's Burgher Force. There are about 50 European women and children in Mashonaland, exclusive of 13 Sisters of Mercy, who would remain at their posts in any event. Most of the women are at Salisbury, which has not been menaced. Several of them have now gone to Beira. All European women are now out of the Matabele country. (2) The nearest British military force is a force of Bechuanaland Mounted Police, which has recently been reinforced, and is now about 280 strong. It is intrenched on the River Macloutsie, which is the boundary claimed by Lo Bengula as that of his country. For Macloutsie is about 50 miles from Tuli, the Company's nearest station in Mashonaland. (3) No special stops have boon taken by Her Majesty's Government for the purpose indicated in the third branch of the hon. Member's question for reasons which have been stated to him in the answers I have already given to previous questions; but the British South Africa Company, with the full approval of the Government, are strengthening their forces in Mashonaland; and Mr. Rhodes anticipates that in a short time he will be able to place on the spot, for service, if required, 1,000 effective men.