§ MR. EMMOTT () OldhamI beg to ask the Postmaster General, as representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies, if the treaty concluded between the Niger Company and the Sultan of Sokoto specifically stated that the treaty was granted to the Niger Company and to its assigns; and if, in view of the interest taken in the matter by Lancashire and other industrial centres trading with West Africa, he will lay upon the Table of the House a Copy of the treaty, and also the despatches showing the efforts which have been made to induce the Sultan of Sokoto to recognise the Crown as transferees of the treaty and treaty rights, and the efforts to establish friendly relations generally; and whether he will give instructions that friendly assurances shall be at once conveyed to the Sultan of Sokoto and to the otherwise, that the contemplated military preparations and 1337 movements of troops are merely of the nature of police protection for the British and French Delimitation Commissioners, and that nothing of a hostile or unfriendly nature to Sokoto or Kano are intended thereby.
§ SIR CHARLES DILKEhad on the Paper the following Question: To ask the Postmaster General, as representing the Secretary of State for the Colonies. whether, in the treaties of 1885, 1890, and 1894, between the Emirs of Sokoto and the Niger Company, the Company was recognised as receiving its powers from and as representing the Crown; and if he will explain the circumstances under which it is alleged that Sokoto declined to recognise the transfer of the powers of the Company to the Imperial Government, and will lay upon the Table a copy of any communications which passed at the time the transfer took place, and, whether every endeavour will be made in connection with the Anglo-French boundary delimitation to prevent the suspicion of the Mohammedan Emirs being excited by the composition of the armed escort.
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINPerhaps I may be allowed to answer the two questions together. By the treaty of the 25th of June, 1894, the Sultan of Sokoto expressly recognised the Royal Niger Company as receiving its powers from and representing the Queen of Great Britain. Two of the three treaties have been published in Hertslet's "Map of Africa by Treaty." The treaty of 1894 has not been printed there, but is in the same terms mutatis mutandis as the treaty with Gandu of the same year. The word "assigns" is not used in any of the treaties, but the treaty of 1885 was made with the Company "or other with whom they may arrange." Sir F. Lugard's messenger to the Sultan, informing him of the transfer was treated with indignity, and to messages sent subsequently the Sultan has returned a defiant reply. The actual text of the communications which have passed between the High Commissioner and the Sultan is not in the possession of His Majesty's Government, and no Papers on the subject can usefully be laid before the House at present, but Sir F. Lugard's 1338 annual Report for the last year, in which his relations with Sokoto and Kano are referred to, will shortly be published. Sir F. Lugard's policy has always been to cultivate friendly relations with the Sultans, if possible, and he has no doubt done all in his power to avert any suspicions which might be excited by the military arrangements necessary for the protection of the Boundary Commissioners.
MR. EMMOTTMMay I ask whether any new provision have been introduced which would in any way account for the remarkable change that seems to have occurred in the relations between the Emir and the Government?
§ MR. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAINI think not. I had, however, better ask for notice of any additional Questions.