HC Deb 15 July 1882 vol 272 cc562-4
BARON HENRY DE WORMS

gave Notice that on Monday he should ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he had seen an article in the "Berlin Post" of July 14, observing, with reference to his statement that the Governments of Germany and Austria— Had declared that our action was perfectly legitimate," that "such a remark had been received in well-informed circles at Berlin with some surprise, since England had never addressed any inquiry on the subject to the German Government, and the latter had never had occasion to express itself in any way in the matter; and, whether he could explain this contradiction of his statement by the semiofficial organ of the German Government; and whether it was the fact, as stated in the English Press, that his statement had also been contradicted on the highest authority at Vienna?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Sir, I may as well answer the hon. Member's Question at once. I see no reason to modify the statement that I have already made on this subject.

MR. ARTHUR ARNOLD

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Conference at Constantinople, with reference to the affairs of Egypt, met yesterday; and, whether he can make any statement as to the proceedings?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Sir, the Ambassadors of all the Powers have now, I am happy to say, received instructions with regard to their late proposal, and wore to meet this day at 11 o'clock.

MR. J. LOWTHER

Perhaps the hon. Member, or the Secretary to the Admiralty, will take this opportunity of informing the House as to the latest state of affairs in Alexandria?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

We have telegrams this morning from Mr. Cartwright to the effect that there are hopes of being able to rally by degrees all the influential Natives round the Khedive, and that all the gates of the town are guarded by English Marines, while the town is being patrolled by American Marines. My hon. Friend the Secretary to the Admiralty, however, will be able to give the House fuller information upon this point.

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I have three telegrams, which I shall be glad to read to the House. The first, dated 9.30 last night, is to the effect that the Marines hold the gates of the town, and that the streets are being cleared. Another telegram, dated 11 P.M., is as follows:— The gates of the town are now guarded by seamen and Marines. The fire is not spreading, and nearly all looting has been stopped. Germans have landed to protect the hospital, and Americans to establish a Consulate. Her Majesty's ship Minotaur has arrived. I may add that the Tamar, which has 1,000 Marines on board, has been ordered to join the Fleet. A telegram, dated 10.20 this morning, has been received from Sir Beauchamp Seymour to the following effect:— Am organizing police as fast as possible. All the gates and Forts Napoleon and Caffarelle are occupied by our men. The whole Marines of Squadron, and landing parties from all excepting Sultan and Inflexible, landed; Minotaur arrived this morning.

MR. MONK

Will the hon. Gentleman say how many Marines are at Alexandria?

MR CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

That I cannot say exactly. It would a little depend on how many there are in the ships that recently joined.

MR MONK

Can the hon. Gentleman say when the Tamar is likely to arrive at Alexandria? Is she at Maita?

MR CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

I do not know. She was at Malta.

MR VILLIEES-STUAR

Can the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs state whether any steps have been taken to intercept Arabi and his Army to prevent their reaching Cairo?

SIR JOHN HAY

When is the Tamar likely to arrive?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERAN

I have already said I do not know. She has been ordered from Malta to Alexandria.

MR. JOSEPH COWEN

May I ask whether Her Majesty's Government are able to givetho House any information with reference to the position of Arabi Pasha?

SIR CHARES W. DILKE

No, Sir; we have nothing but the vaguest possible rumours, and these areabsolutely contradictory.