HC Deb 04 February 1878 vol 237 cc926-7
MAJOR NOLAN

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, If he can inform the House, with regard to the Armistice stated by the Turkish Ambassador to have been signed, for how long the Armistice is to continue; and, if it is not agreed on for a definite period, with what notice can it be denounced by either belligerent?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHE-QUER

We have received no information as to any period having been fixed for the duration of the Armistice, or any arrangement having been made with respect to denouncing it.

THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he can give the House any information with regard to the terms of peace and the Armistice said to have been concluded between the Russian and Turkish Governments?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHE-QUER

Sir, the only official information we have received on the subject is a copy of a despatch from the Foreign Minister at Constantinople to the Ottoman Ambassador in this country, which the Ottoman Ambassador has communi- cated to my noble Friend (the Earl of Derby). It is a despatch dated Constantinople, February 3—that is, yesterday. It says— The Ottoman Plenipotentiaries have signed, on the 31st of January, with the Grand Duke Nicholas, the Protocol of the bases of peace and of the Armistice. His Imperial Highness has promised our Plenipotentiaries to transmit immediately to the commanders of the Russian corps the order to suspend hostilities. We, consequently, have issued orders upon our side in the same sense to the commanders of our corps in Europe and Asia. That is the only information we have, and it is at least so far satisfactory that it shows that an Armistice has been signed, and that the further effusion of blood has been stayed.