§ SIR JOHN GORST (Cambridge University)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any information has been received by Her Majesty's Government in reference to an alleged intention on the part of the French Government to recruit 1159 natives of Mashonaland to serve against the Hovas in the Madagascar war; and, whether either the High Commissioner of South Africa or Her Majesty's Government possess any legal power to prevent such recruiting if attempted?
§ *THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir EDWARD GREY, Northumberland, Berwick)I am informed that the Colonial Office have no information on the subject. But it is understood that the Crown, by either the High Commissioner or the Secretary of State has adequate power to prohibit such recruiting if it were thought necessary or expedient to do so.