§ MR. HAYTERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in the absence of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, from a cause which all would regret, Whether he has any further information to give to the House respecting the protracted hostilities in Crete; whether the Despatch of Mr. Baring from Constantinople on Monday evening last, and the sailing of three war vessels from Suda Bay under Lord John Hay, had any reference to the character of the struggle now going on in the neighbourhood of Canea; and, whether there is any apprehension of fresh disturbances in the Island of Mitylene? In explanation of his Question, he would, with the permission of the House, read the following telegram from Athens, which appeared in The Times of Friday last:—
Official despatches from Crete state that the Turkish authorities are unable to preserve order at Canea and Rethymo, where the Mahommedan population continue to maintain a threatening attitude. A French war vessel and the British 958 gunboat "Coquette," have, in consequence, entered the harbour of Canea, and the British iron-clad "Defence" has gone to Suda Bay, at the request of Hussein Pasha. The Mahommedans of Rethymo, demanding the dismissal of the Governor, and threatening the Christians, two Turkish men-of-war have been sent thither conveying the Superintendent of Police at Canea, with instructions to use the best means to prevent any outbreak of the Mahommedans.
§ MR. BOURKESir, further Papers on the affairs of Crete will be laid on the Table at once, and will be in the hands of Members very shortly, as only one or two clerical errors remain to be corrected. In reference to the telegram read by the hon. Gentleman from The Times, all I have to say is, that according to the latest advices from the Consul at Canea, all is again quiet in that neighbourhood; but owing to disturbances that had taken place elsewhere, some alarm was felt, and a vessel of war had been despatched to the neighbourhood, affairs being supposed to require it. We have no account of disturbances since the 30th June. Neither Mr. Baring's despatch from Constantinople, nor the sailing of the war vessels from Suda Bay under Lord John Hay was in connection with Cretan affairs. We have no reason to suppose there is any danger of fresh disturbances in the Island of Mitylene.