§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is a fact, as stated by the Correspondent of the "Daily News," who is now a prisoner at Merv, that the Russians have not only occupied and annexed the whole of the Tekke Turcoman Country, including Askabad, but have also occupied Kuchan, in Persian Khorassan, a most important strategical position on the road to Meshed and Herat?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEHer Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at St. Petersburg has reported that he understood, from a conversation with the Russian Minister for Foreign Affairs, that Askabad was the southernmost point of the Tekke Oasis, which is stated to be the Transcaspian territory recently annexed to Russia. We have heard that General Skobeleff had some months ago demanded from the people of Kuchan payment for property stolen from Russian subjects, and that a Russian Agent was to be appointed there to make annual purchases of grain; but we have no knowledge of its being occupied or annexed by Russia.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked if the hon. Baronet would take steps to obtain information on this subject? He believed Her Majesty's Government had Agents at Askabad and Meshed, and ho could not see why they should be in a state of such profound ignorance. ["Order!"]
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEWe have received very full Reports through 637 Mr. Thomson from our Agent at Meshed, and my answer was founded on them.