§ SIR ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)asked whether the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs had any communication to make to the House in relation to the great and important victory that was reported in that day's papers to have been obtained by the Egyptian troops over the Dervishes?
* MR. CURZONIn reply to the Question of the hon. Member, I may say that the facts are substantially as related in this morning's newspapers. A decisive victory has been gained by the Egyptian forces under the command of the Sirdar against the advanced outpost of the Dervishes at Ferkeh on the Nile. The whole operation seems to have been a very brilliant affair, and the Egyptian troops are reported to have conducted themselves with the utmost gallantry. The loss of the enemy was very great, and their entire camp was taken by the Sirdar and remains in his possession.
§ MR. J. H. DALZIEL (Kirkcaldy Burghs)asked whether it was correct that only 200 Dervishes were at the fort?
* MR. CURZONConsidering that between 800 and 900 are reported to have been killed, it is obvious that more than 200 Dervishes must have been engaged in this operation. [" Hear, hear!" and laughter.]
§ MR. DALZIELHas the right hon. Gentleman any official information as to what the force of the Dervishes really was?
§ * SIR C. DILKEHave the Government received confirmation of the refusal by the mixed tribunal to allow the Caisse de la Dette to advance £500,000 for the purposes of the expedition?
§ * SIR C. DILKEI will ask a Question to-morrow with regard to the matter.
§ MR. HENRY LABOUCHERE (Northampton)wished to ask the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, when he stated that 800 Dervishes had been killed in the recent battle, he spoke 620 officially or from the information he obtained from the newspapers?