§ MR. H. SAMUELSONasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can at length state when the repeatedly promised inquiry into the murder of Mr. C. C. Ogle, "Times" Correspondent in Thessaly, by Turkish soldiers on March 30th 1878, will be instituted; whether steps will be taken to identify and bring to justice the perpetrators and instigators of the crime; and, whether, as has been done formerly in similar cases, an indemnity will be demanded from the Porte for the murdered Englishman's relatives? He had to add that he had received a letter that morning from the nearest relative of Mr. Ogle, in which the writer stated, very properly, that he did not wish to press for an indemnity, and therefore he begged to withdraw the latter part of his Question.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI have to express my great regret at the delay that has occurred with regard to this inquiry. I have to inform the hon. Member that, in consequence of application made by the friends of the late Mr. Ogle in the course of last month, instructions were addressed to Sir Henry Layard to the following effect:—
Your Excellency is aware that an assurance was given in the House of Commons by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the 14th of August, 1878, that the Government would he ready to advise the Porte to supplement the deficiencies of the evidence in regard to the manner in which Mr. Ogle met his death by a further investigation, whenever the state of the country should be such as to enable all the Greek witnesses to come forward without fear. In giving this promise, Her Majesty's Govern- 382 ment considered themselves justified in counting upon the ready co-operation of the Porte, without which such an investigation could not, under any circumstances, be successfully conducted. They have hitherto abstained from taking any steps with this object, feeling convinced that the country in the neighbourhood of Vole and Macrinitza was still in too disturbed a state and public feeling too much excited to admit of a fuller and more minute inquiry than had already taken place. I am anxious now to learn your Excellency's opinion whether the conditions are more favourable, and whether it is probable that other witnesses would be willing to come forward and could do so with safety.In reply to that letter, the following telegram was received from Sir Henry Layard a few days ago:—I am unable to state with confidence whether Greek witnesses could come forward with safety or not; but I have no reason to think they would be in danger if proper means were taken to protect them. I question whether it would now be possible to have a full and impartial inquiry.The Government feel that if a fresh inquiry is to be instituted it should only be done under conditions which give at least a reasonable certainty that it would be of a conclusive nature, and they think it necessary to await the Report of Her Majesty's Consul General at Salonica before coming to a decision.
§ MR. H. SAMUELSONasked when the Report of Her Majesty's Consul General might be expected?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI am unable to say precisely; but I hope soon.