§ SIR CHARLES DILKE () Gloucestershire, Forest of DeanI beg to ask the Postmaster General, as representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies, whether he is aware that, by a treaty concluded in 1884, Mr. Joseph Thomson undertook, on behalf of the Niger Company, to pay to the Emir of Sokoto a sum of about £1,500 a year, that the treaty was renewed in 1890 and in 1894, that the Emir of Sokoto in those treaties was made to acknowledge the Niger Company as representatives of His Majesty's Government, and that this country, being still in possession of the consideration transferred in these treaties, has ceased the yearly payment to the Emir of Sokoto, and is now contemplating an expedition in the direction of Sokoto; and whether, seeing that a military expedition is now being sent against Kano, described by the Secretary of State for the Colonies as the Manchester of Africa, he will state what attempt has been made to remove by friendly negotiations the causes of difference between the Emir of kano and His Majesty's Government.
§ THE POSTMASTER GENERAL (Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN,, for Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN) Worcestershire, EThe yearly payment specified in the treaties referred to has not been made since the Royal Niger Company's rights were transferred to the Crown, as the Sultan of Sokoto has always refused to recognise the transfer. Attempts have constantly been made by Sir Frederick Lugard to establish friendly relations both with him and with the Sultan of Kano, but hitherto without success. The reports which have appeared in the newspapers with regard to expeditions against 450 Sokoto and Kano appear to refer to the preparations which Sir F. Lugard has stated that he would have to make to ensure the safety of the British and French Commissioners appointed to delimit the boundary between the Niger and Lake Chad, who will commence their work in January, and who will have to spend a considerable time in the country to the north of Sokoto and Kano. It will be necessary to maintain communication with the Commissioners and to keep them regularly provided with the supplies upon which they will depend, and in view of the present attitude of the Sultans of Sokoto and Kano it is necessary not only to provide the Commissioners with a strong escort but also to take into consideration beforehand the possibility of hostile action on the part of those Sultans and to provide an adequate force to deal with it.
§ SIR CHARLES DILKEI understand that there is no present intention of attacking Kano?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINThat is my understanding. The military preparations which are being made are preparations only for the protection of our Commissioners.
§ SIR CHARLES DILKEWill the hon. Gentleman ask whether it is possible to give any Papers showing the attitude of these Mohamedan Kings later than the last annual Report of Sir F. Lugard?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINYes, Sir, I will make inquiry.