THE EARL OF CARNARVONI wish to put a Question to the noble Viscount the Secretary of State for India, of which I have given him private Notice, on a subject of great importance, mention of which has again been made in the newspapers this morning. For some days past, very strange reports have appeared in the newspapers of grave disturbances which have taken place in the Presidency of Bombay, in the Deccan, and of incendiary fires near Poonah; and, in the papers of yesterday, there was a more detailed account. It was reported that the magistrate's court, and other public buildings, had been fired, that large bands of armed Dacoits were marauding the country, and great loss of property has ensued. Lastly—which is a very remarkable circumstance—a manifesto is said to have been put out by some of these bands, in which there are not only statements made as to the great distress of the country, the severe pressure of taxes on the people, but a reward of 1,000 rupees is placed on the head of the Governor, Sir Richard Temple, unless he complies 795 with their demands. The state of things is no doubt serious. It is impossible to say quite what it means, and what causes have produced it—whether these are merely armed bands, or bands acting in concert and sympathy with the population; but I believe that it is almost unprecedented in Indian history in our day that such a manifesto should be issued threatening the life of the Governor of one of the British Provinces. I shall be glad to hear from my noble Friend, Whether or not these statements are correct, and whether he can throw any light upon the subject?
§ VISCOUNT CRANBROOKThere can be no doubt that great distress prevails in the Deccan; and I have, in private letters, received accounts of that distress. It is also true that within some weeks past, to a certain extent, the Dacoits have committed numerous robberies and other outrages; but I have no knowledge of the particular transactions reported in the newspapers within the last few days—though I think them not unlikely, inasmuch as it has been reported that bands of Dacoits have been traversing the Provinces and committing outrages to a certain extent. Seeing such detailed accounts in the newspapers, I telegraphed this morning to the Governor of Bombay asking for information; but I have not as yet received a reply. The latest accounts which I received by last mail conveyed the intelligence that although bands of Dacoits had been traversing the country, the Deccan was quieter, and that things seemed to be settling down.