§ MR. W. E. FORSTERSir, I beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer a Question of which I have given him private Notice. The House is in an unusual, and I may add an anxious, position. We are about to separate for a much longer Recess than usual, and at a time when there is grave anxiety whether peace will be maintained. This anxiety is increased by the statements and rumours in the daily papers, not only as regards the present position of our negotiations with Russia, but as regards the isolation of this country and the state of affairs at Constantinople. I would, therefore, ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can give the House any information with regard to our foreign relations which may tend to restore confidence and to give the hope of a peaceful arrangement?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, I am not in a position, without inconvenience, to enter into any details upon the present aspect of affairs; but I can say, generally, in answer to the right hon. Gentleman's Question, that nothing whatever has occurred which should give occasion for increased anxiety on this question, nor in any way diminish the hope we entertain of a satisfactory arrangement being arrived at of the difficulties in which we undoubtedly are placed. The matter has been under discussion in this House within the last week or two, and nobody can doubt that the situation is one of an anxious character, and the steps which have already been taken have not failed to show that such is the opinion of Her Majesty's Government. Nothing, however, has occurred since which in any way increases the gravity of the position, or which tends to diminish the hopes of an ultimate satisfactory arrangement. I may say, with reference to the particular point in which interest has been expressed, that, as regards the condition of Thessaly and the Piræus, great hopes are entertained that a satisfactory arrangement will be arrived at, through the good offices of Her Majesty's Government between the Porte and the Greek Government, which may put a stop to further fighting in those districts. I may also mention that the Circular which 1375 was published some time ago in the newspapers has been received from Russia and presented to Her Majesty's Government, and we have reason to believe that another Circular is about to be issued by the Porte.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERSir, I do not know whether it would be possible for the right hon. Gentleman or for the Government to secure that the despatch to which he has just alluded, or any other important despatches which may be received during the Recess, shall be sent to hon. Members or given to the public? I believe that sometimes information of the kind has been given to the newspapers.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, no doubt, if any information of an important character reaches us during the Recess, which can properly be made public, that course will be taken. I am reminded that I omitted to refer to one part of the right hon. Gentleman's Question that should not be allowed to pass without remark. The right hon. Gentleman refers to the isolation of this country; but there is nothing whatever to justify that expression.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERSir, the right hon. Gentleman has not answered that part of my Question with regard to the state of affairs at Constantinople.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, there is nothing whatever in regard to the state of affairs in Constantinople which in any way increases our anxiety.