HC Deb 28 February 1896 vol 37 cc1367-8
SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether any information can be given to the House as to the recent fighting on several distinct occasions on the coast of British East Africa, and as to the prospect of peace being in future preserved upon that coast?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON,) Lancashire, Southport

In April, 1895, a native chief, named Mubarakbin Rashid, rebelled against the administration. He has suffered repeated defeats; but, owing to the nature of the country, it has hitherto proved impossible to deal effectually with the roving bands of marauders who have followed his lead, and who fall on unprotected or weakly-held positions, and have on two occasions made attacks upon military stations, which have been successfully repulsed. With the view of finally suppressing the rising it has been decided to strengthen the local forces by the dispatch of an Indian regiment, and it is hoped that tranquillity will shortly be restored.