HC Deb 20 October 1902 vol 113 cc222-3
SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Have the Government any further information as to events in Somaliland?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord CRANEBORNE,) Rochester

I have very little to communicate to the House beyond what appeared in the newspapers this morning, sent by the Foreign Office. I think I ought to begin by saying on behalf of the Secretary of State how deeply he regrets the lamentable loss of life that has taken place, and the possible results of the retirement which has followed. We have every confidence in Colonel Swayne, who is a very experienced officer in those regions, but, of course, Colonel Swayne is at the front, and he cannot be responsible for sending forward reinforcements. Fortunately, in the ordinary course of his duties, General Manning, who is the principal military adviser in the Foreign Office Protectorates, arrived at Aden yesterday morning, and we have placed at his disposal, after communicating with the India Office, an Indian battalion, and also have ordered from Central Africa the reserve battalion of the Protectorate's own forces. We have informed him that if he does not consider this force sufficient we shall be quite ready to supply other troops. The House ought to remember, in considering these events, that the country over which these operations had to take place is exceedingly difficult. Not only is the actual battlefield apparently covered with very thick bush, but, in order to get there, a large extent of perfectly barren and waterless country had to be crossed, throwing great difficulties in the way of forces advancing in such a country. In these circumstances it is not surprising that after so severe an action Colonel Swayne thought it better to retire. But we do not conceal from ourselves the fact that that may necessitate very much more prolonged operations than we had hoped, and a larger force than we had at first thought would be sufficient. That is all I have to tell the House at present.

MR. LLEWELLYN (Somerset, N.)

Has the noble Lord any further information with regard to casualties?

LORD CRANBORNE

Not beyond what has been published.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

Is the War Office or the Foreign Office responsible for the conduct of the campaign?

LORD CRANBORNE

The Foreign Office.