§ LORD DUDLEY STUARTrose, to ask the noble Lord the President of the Council, whether any information had been received of the intention of Austria to march troops into Servia; and whether he (Lord John Russell) would have any objection to lay on the table the following documents: —The protest addressed by the Servian Government against the occupation of that principality by the forces of Austria; the convention between Austria and the Porte respecting the occupation of Albania by Austrian troops; and the convention lately signed between Austria and Prussia?
§ LORD JOHN RUSSELLIn answer to my noble Friend, I have to state that we have received no late information of any intention whatever on the part of the Austrian Government to march troops into Servia. Some time ago I stated that the Austrian Government had declared that if it would be of use to the Sultan that they should march troops into Servia, they were ready to do so; but that without a request on the part of the Turkish Government they should adept such a course only in one of two cases—either in case of the march of Russian troops into Servia, when they would oppose that army; or in case of an insurrection in Servia, which would, in all probability, be an insurrection in favour of Russia, and against Turkey. 392 With regard to the papers that the noble Lord had asked for—the protest addressed by the Servian Government to the Porte against the occupation of the principality by the forces of Austria has been received by the Government, and there can be no objection to its presentation, if the noble Lord will move for [...]t. With regard to a convention between Austria and the Porte respecting the occupation of Albania by Austrian troops, the Government have no knowledge of any such convention, and I do not believe that such a convention is in existence. The Austrian Government has proposed to the Porte that, in case it should be thought desirable, Austria would assist in suppressing the insurrection in Albania; but the pashas on the frontier declined any assistance from the Austrian troops, and the Austrian commander did not pass out of his own province. The substance of the convention lately signed between Austria and Prussia has been communicated to the House; but there is an additional article which is in the possession of the Government, and can be presented if my noble Friend thinks proper to move for it.