§ MR. CHARLES HOBHOUSE (Bristol, E.)I beg to ask the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he has any further authentic information to give about the disaster in Northern Nigeria; and whether any punitive expedition will be necessary.
§ MR. CHURCHILLIn telegram, dated February 16th and received at the Colonial Office on the 20th, Sir Frederick Lugard, the High Commissioner, stated that a Mahdi had arisen near Sokoto and had completely defeated one company of (native) mounted infantry on February 14th; and that three British officers, mentioned by name, were reported killed. Of these, two were civilians and one a military officer. One medical officer was severely wounded. A further telegram has now been received from the High Commissioner reporting as follows:—"Further news from Burdon, Sokoto, states no room for hope that either of three British officers living; position of garrison quite safe, awaiting arrival of reinforcements; 150 will arrive about February 28th; local chiefs loyally co-operating in suppression. Disaster due to horses bolting, breaking square. Total native troops reported killed, twenty-five. Position of affairs gives me much less 1023 anxiety." So far as Lord Elgin can judge, the circumstances are not such as will necessarily call for a punitive expedition in the ordinary sense, but it will doubtless be necessary to reinforce the troops in the district and to take measures to arrest and punish the promoters of the disturbance. A further telegram has been received to-day from Sir F. Lugard saying that he has heard from Major Burdon that all the white men in or near Sokoto are safe except those already reported killed.