§ * LORD SANDERSONMy Lords, before the House adjourns perhaps I may be allowed to ask the noble Lord the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can communicate any information respecting the attack which is reported in the Press to have been made by Moorish tribesmen on the house of a British subject in the neighbourhood of Tangier.
THE UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD FITZMAURICE)My Lords, as your Lordships are aware from what has appeared in the newspapers, there unfortunately does not prevail in Morocco that condition of absolute quietude which diplomacy would desire. As to the particular incident in regard to which my noble friend has asked me a Question, I am glad to be able to give a reassuring Answer. According to the information which we have received at the Foreign Office, fighting occurred yesterday between the guards at the house of Mr. Harris, a well-known British resident, and some members of the Anjera tribe. 28 Reinforcements arrived on both sides, and eventually the tribesmen were driven off. It does not appear from the information we have received whether the men of the tribe really intended to attack the house of Mr. Harris or whether they were on their way to raid somebody else's cattle when Mr. Harris's guard interfered in the cause of law and order. Ships of war were watching these events, which took place near the coast, and were ready to take steps to protect the house of Mr. Harris if it had been thought necessary, but I am glad to say that necessity did not arise. No further information had been received at the Foreign Office up to the time I left it this afternoon.
§ House adjourned at five minutes before Six o'clock, till Tomorrow, half-past Ten o'clock.