HC Deb 31 January 1878 vol 237 cc726-7
MR. CHAPLIN

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he can state to the House if it is true that all telegraphic communication between Adrianople and Constantinople is interrupted, and that all correspondents have been sent away from the Russian armies south of the Balkans?

MR. BOURKE

Sir, in reply to the hon. Gentleman, I have to say that, with respect to the telegraphic communication between Adrianople and Constantinople, we have heard from Mr. Layard, and the despatch was laid on the Table yesterday (Turkey, No. 4), that telegraphic communication between Constantinople and Adrianople was still open on the 29th. With regard to the telegraphic communication between Constantinople and Gallipoli, we heard this morning that the telegraph wires had been cut. As to the inquiry whether all correspondents with the Russian Army south of the Balkans have been sent away, I have to state that we have not heard that such is the case.