§ MR. W. E. FORSTERSir, in regard to the terms of peace, which are stated in the newspapers to have been proposed by Russia to Turkey, I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can give the House any information as to the precise nature of those terms, and also whether 301 he can give the House any information with regard to the proposed Conference?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, the Government are very much in the position of the right hon. Gentleman. We have no official information on the subject of the terms of peace. We have a good deal of unofficial information from various quarters; but to some extent the information which we receive is not quite consistent with itself, and therefore I think it better not to state what really rests upon report. It seems to be certain that the Grand Duke Nicholas is now at San Stefano, which is about four miles from Constantinople, and that peace is likely to be concluded there. What the terms of peace are I am not yet officially informed. With regard to the Conference, I believe it has already been stated by my noble Friend (Lord Derby) that the Conference will take place at Baden-Baden. That is the place which has been selected for it, and I may mention that Lord Lyons has been chosen as the British Representative at the Conference. As to the time when it will take place, I am not able to give the House any information.
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us whether the time at which the signature of the terms of peace was to take place has been fixed? I ask the Question, because it is stated in this morning's papers that they were to be signed to-day.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERWe have no official information upon that point.