§ SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, what steps have been taken by the Imperial Government for the protection of the lives and property of British subjects in Matabeleland?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINThe authorities in Matabeleland have stated that they are strong enough not only to hold out for the present, but to take the offensive when the whites in the outlying districts have been brought in; 677 but that they are not strong enough to put down the insurrection. As soon as the serious nature of the rising was known, Sir Hercules Robinson took prompt measures for preparing a relief force to be pushed up from the south. Colonel Plumer, D.S.O., is accordingly, with the assistance of other officers lent from the regiments at Cape Town and Natal, engaged in raising a force of at least 500 men at Mafeking, which will start as soon as it is ready, in charge of additional arms, ammunition, and food, of which there are ample supplies at Mafeking, and ought to reach Matabele-land within three or four weeks. Sir Hercules Robinson has hitherto been of opinion that this force will, in conjunction with the forces already in Matabele-land, be sufficient to cope with and crush the insurrection; but he has been informed that Her Majesty's Government will sanction any preparations which he may consider desirable for the prompt and effectual suppression of the rising, and that they are prepared, if he should deem it necessary, to reinforce the garrisons at the Cape and Natal. Up to this time Sir Hercules Robinson has discouraged any step of the kind, and has expressed his opinion that local forces will be sufficient for the purpose.