MR. BEYCE (Aberdeen, S.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government have received, and can give the House, any information regarding the conflict between a body of Turkish soldiers and the Armenian population of Van, which was reported in the newspapers about three weeks ago as having occurred owing to the interference of the local authorities in the election of an Armenian bishop?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)From a Report received from Her Majesty's Vice Consul at Van, it appears that the disturbances to winch my right hon. Friend refers took place on the 4th ultimo, on the occasion of the election of Members to serve in the Armenian National Council of that city. I am glad to be able to say that Mr. Barnham states that the extent of the damage inflicted on both sides has been much exaggerated, and that no serious wounding and no fatality occurred. The interference by the Local Authorities was at the instance of the Acting Bishop. I shall be happy to show to my hon. Friend the Report of the Vice Consul.