§ SIR HENRY HAVELOCK-ALLAN (Durham, S.E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in consideration of the unsettled state of affairs in Mashonaland and Matabeleland, and reports that are being daily received of the alleged unreliability of some of our native allies, whether he, has considered the advisability of reinforcing the troops engaged in suppressing the Matabele rising by a considerable number of trained mounted infantry from the Imperial regiments now serving at home and in South Africa; whether arrangements can be made for supplying any number that may be sent with the necessary horses and equipment on the spot; and, whether his latest communications with the Military authorities at the Cape, lead him to believe that there is not likely to be any necessity for such reinforcements?
MR. CHAMBERLAINAs regards the question of reinforcements generally, I have to refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I have given on three or four previous occasions on the subject. As regards the use of mounted infantry (in addition to the Hussars), I believe that 500 at least have already been sent to the front with the 149 necessary horses and equipment; that there are more mounted infantry available in South Africa if required, and that, as at present advised, Sir F. Carrington does not wish any more sent from this country.