§ * SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI beg to ask the Under Secretary for War whether he can give the House any information as to the relief of Mai eking or the movements of the relief column.
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR (Mr. WYNDHAM,) DoverI regret that I am hot able to give the House the only news which would relieve the nation of anxiety— namely, news of the relief of the heroic garrison. Perhaps I may say that it must have occurred to hon. Members that if the event we so desire took place the intelligence could not reach us for two days, and very possibly might not reach us for five days.
§ * SIR E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTIs there any confirmation of the reported repulse of a Boer attack upon Mafeking, and the capture of a prominent Boer officer?
§ * MR. WYNDHAMNo; that report comes from a Boer source, and I am not prepared to criticise it.