§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE (Bristol, E.)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the district into which Fad-el-Allah committed a raid was within the French sphere of influence; will he say how long a time had elapsed between the above-mentioned raid and the French attack on Fad-el-Allah in British territory; how far within the British boundary the collision took place; and whether representations have been made to the French Government as to the violation of British territory.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The raid extended to Kousseri, on the German side of the boundary between the French and German spheres of influence. It took place towards the end of July, and the fight in which Fad-el-Allah was mortally wounded occurred on the 23rd of August. Gubja, where the collison took place, is about 120 miles within the British boundary. No representations have been made to the French Government on the subject, but stops were taken to occupy Bornu.
§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSEIs it intended to make representations to the French Government in regard to this invasion of British territory?
§ MR. J. CHAMBERLAINIt must be remembered that when our sphere of influence was established in this part of Africa we came under what is at all events a moral obligation to protect the surrounding countries from any disturbance arising in our territory. At the time that this incident took place we had no military occupation whatever of the country, and in those circumstances, although it may be said that the French 700 commander went rather far in pursuing Fad-el-Allah into British territory, I do not know whether it is necessary—at present, at all events, it has not been thought necessary—to make any representations to a friendly country.