§ Mr. FALLEasked the Under-Secretary for the Colonies if there were any agreements, treaties, or proclamations entered into with the Somali chiefs or issued to them before the Protectorate was established over Somaliland; and if any promises or any engagements were made on our side whereby the Somalis might have been made to believe or think that they had acquired a future and indefeasible claim and right, as British subjects, to the protection, assistance, and support of the British nation?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Colonel Seely)Certain treaties were made with tribes on the Somali coast before the Protectorate was established. In some of those treaties the British Government undertook to extend to the tribe concerned the gracious favour and protection of Her Majesty the Queen-Empress. In the remaining treaties no such undertaking was given.
Sir GILBERT PARKERBefore the Government authorised the withdrawal of the troops to the coast, were the chiefs, with whom arrangements and agreements were made, and the Protectorate established, consulted?
§ Colonel SEELYThe Commissioner was in constant touch with those chiefs who still remained friendly to His Majesty's Government, but, of course, some of the tribes with whom treaties have been made have not remained on friendly terms with the Government. The whole matter is a complicated one, but I understand I may have an opportunity this evening of referring to the matter in a Debate upon it this evening.
An HON. MEMBERHas the hon. Gentleman the names of the tribes who were friendly to us and who have ceased to be friendly?
§ Colonel SEELYI have a very full list of the tribes and of what has happened to them since the original date in 1886, 2311 but I could not make a full statement on the subject by way of question and answer across the floor of the House. I hope to have an opportunity this evening.