§ DR. FARQUHARSON (Aberdeenshire, W.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether his attention has been called to statements as to the defects in the military hospitals in Cape Colony and Natal; and whether he has any information which he can communicate to the House with a view of relieving the anxiety of those who have relatives or friends among the sick and wounded in South Africa.
§ * MR. WYNDHAMIn reply I will read selections from two telegrams on the matter from Lord Roberts and Sir Redvers Buller. Lord Roberts, telegraphing from Cape Town, January 22, 1900, 7.45 p.m., says—
There is no real foundation for report reflecting on hospitals at the Cape. I am perfectly satisfied with all arrangements for reception and treatment of wounded. The quality of cooking was indifferent for first week; nothing more can be complained of, and this was rectified as soon as possible. …Sir Redvers Buller telegraphed to Lord Roberts, January 30, 1900, 10.50 a.m.—One of the Natal papers is attacking the management of the military hospitals, and, as some of the false and ridiculous statements may cause anxiety at home, I think it right to say that Mr. Treves assures me there is no possible ground for complaint, and that I may rest satisfied that all the medical arrangements are completely satisfactory to him. I pressed him if he could suggest improvement, and he said he could not. … I have given the matter every consideration, and can only express my admiration of the arrangements made by Colonel Galway and the Royal Army Medical Corps, and Mr. Treves assures me that he entirely agrees with me.