HC Deb 14 August 1894 vol 28 cc994-5
SIR E.ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the French Government have offered any reparation for the death of the three British officers who were killed in the French attack on British Forces near Warina in December last?

SIR E. GREY

There is nothing to add to the previous answer given on the 13th of July. The position of Warina appears to be open to much dispute.

SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

May I ask what that answer was?

SIR E. GREY

It is impossible to settle this question satisfactorily until the position of Warina has been determined beyond dispute. If the hon. Gentleman can throw any additional information upon that subject, we shall be very glad to have it.

MR. J. W. LOWTHER (Cumberland, Penrith)

Has the Government taken any steps to ascertain the position of Warina?

SIR E. GREY

The actual position is this: One set of calculations was produced which placed Warina in a certain position. Since then another set of calculations has been brought forward placing it in a different position. It is impossible to put this question beyond dispute without sending an astronomical expedition to make a survey on the spot, and Her Majesty's Government have not taken any steps to do that. In view of the pending discussion with the French Government on many subjects of dispute in West Africa, I think this would not be the proper time to do that.