THE EARL OF CAMPERDOWNMy Lords, seeing the noble Earl the Under Secretary for the Colonies in his place, I should like to ask whether he can give the House any information with regard to the state of affairs on the West Coast of Africa.
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (The Earl of SELBORNE)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have received this morning the following telegram, which I am sure your Lordships will be glad to hear, from Colonel Willcocks—
Fumsu, 4th July.—Just received letter sent by Governor Hodgson in which he states that he, with 600 native soldiers under the command of Major Morris, departed from Coomassie 23rd June by way of Patiasa (and) Terrabum. Captain Bishop, Inspector of Constabulary, Gold Coast, and Ralph, Lagos Constabulary, and 100 native soldiers have been left behind at Coomassie with rations up to 15th July. I will personally relieve Coomassie by the date under any circumstances. Hodgson states that intended to go over river Ofin by way of Mampong to Cape Coast—but I have applied to him by urgent special messengers to leave behind as many men as possible in order to give assistance to me enter into Coomassie. Lieutenant-Colonel Burroughs, with 400native soldiers, arrived at Dompoasi 1st July.I may add that that means he has got through the Dompoasi Hills, which are the most difficult part of the road to Coomassie. The telegram continues—Enemy's force taken completely by surprise; stockades evacuated by them. Burroughs captured forty guns, quantity of gunpowder and caps, and also killed thirty of the enemy; our loss one native soldier killed in action, three native soldiers wounded.