§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of SALISBURY)My Lords, before moving the Adjournment, perhaps, it may be convenient that I should read a telegram which I have received from Paris in reference to matters which have excited some attention. It is from Sir E. Monson, and reads as follows—
I placed in M. Hanotaux's hands, as soon as I could obtain an interview, a note, drawing his attention to the report which had been published this morning of a French advance into Sokoto, and I said that if the report was correct, the news must be regarded as having a very serious character. M. Hanotaux, in reply, told me that he had no knowledge of any such proceedings. If anything of the kind had occurred, it would have been done, not only without orders from the French Government, but against their wishes and instructions, as they had no desire of approaching Sokoto. He said that he did not believe the news to be true, and he has since communicated to me an assurance which he has received from the Minister of the Colonies, that there are no French troops in that region.
§ House adjourned at 4.35 to Thursday next, 10.30.