§ SIR J. FERGUSSONI beg to ask the Secretary of State for India a Question, of which I have given him private notice—namely, whether he can give the House any recent information as to the recent disturbances in the city of Bombay?
§ MR. DILLONI desire to ask the noble Lord whether he can give any explanation of his statement in the House on Tuesday that any statement that there was exceptional agitation amongst the Mahomedan population in Bombay was false?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIAI do not think the hon. Gentleman opposite is quite accurate in his statement of what I said. I was asked by a friend of his, with scarcely any notice, if I had any confirmation of certain rumours in the newspapers, and I replied that I had telegraphed to the Governor of Bombay, and that I had 1251 received no reply. He further asked me if I could make any statement as to the state of things in Bombay, and I told him that the latest telegram which I had—which was some days old—from the Governor of Bombay was to the effect that rumours of unrest among the Mahomedans should not be credited. In reply to the question of my right hon. Friend—and perhaps the right hon. Gentleman the Member for Montrose will allow me to answer his Question at the same time—I have to say that I have only received two telegrams from the Governor of Bombay in connection with the riots. They both came yesterday, and they are no doubt waiting until the close of to-day to report the condition of Bombay as it now is. The telegrams do not give any fresh information, but they may interest the House, as they confirm what has appeared in the public Press. The first telegram is as follows—
From Governor, Bombay, 9th March, 1898. No disturbance till to-day. Have just heard serious riot took place this morning in Bombay city on account of attempted removal of plague patient to hospital. Four men killed, three very seriously injured; three police officers injured, one very seriously. Mr. Dastur, a Parsee, one of the Presidency magistrates, injured. Riot over for the present. Military sent for.This is the second telegram—From Governor, Bombay, 9th March, 1898. In continuation of my telegram. Commissioner of Police is now with me. He says there was an additional outbreak in adjoining part of town. Two rioters killed by fire. Promiscuous rioting in several streets; two British soldiers were killed, and another seriously injured; five more European police officers injured; several private Europeans were attacked and injured. No rioting since about 4 p.m. Principal streets and hospitals guarded by European and native troops. Rioting commenced in quarter inhabited by Julais, a sect of fanatical Mahomedans. Have asked the general officer commanding Poona for some cavalry.There is no official information beyond these telegrams. Investigation into the causes of a widespread disturbance in a large city like Bombay must necessarily take some time, but I am in daily communication with the Governor, and shall no doubt receive further information either this evening or to-morrow. I am confident that the disturbance is not the result of any excessive or unnecessary severity in the regulations or in their administration, 1252 and I feel sure that when order is restored—as is probably already the case—the work of combating the plague will proceed, every endeavour being made to give no avoidable offence to the customs or beliefs of the people, and to induce native gentlemen of position and influence to co-operate with the Government in the performance of this humanitarian duty.
§ SIR J. BRUNNER (Cheshire, Northwich)Will the noble Lord give the House any information he receives before the adjournment.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIACertainly, Sir.
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid.)I beg to ask the noble Lord if he was aware that he was reported as follows:—"On Tuesday, in the House of Commons, Lord George Hamilton read a telegram"—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! It is irregular for the hon. Member to refer without notice to an answer given to a question on a previous day.
§ DR. TANNERThen I shall put it down for to-morrow.
§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)Is the noble Lord in a position to state how many persons have been arrested in Bombay?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR INDIANo, Sir; I have given the House all the information I have received.