§ MR. DISRAELII take this opportunity, Sir, of making an inquiry of Her Majesty's Government with reference to a subject of much importance. I should like to know whether they have any communication to make to the House with regard to this intended Conference at Paris? I wish to know if it is a fact that Her Majesty's Government have acceded to the invitation of one of the great Powers, and have consented to attend the Conference; and I wish also to know whether there is any truth in this announcement which I find in a foreign journal which is generally regarded as a semi-official organ— 1200
The three Courts seek conditions of agreement in territorial compensations which would offer indemnities and satisfaction to the claims of Prussia, Austria, and Italy. The difficulty in the present state of affairs consists in finding compensations suitable in each case.I wish, therefore, to ask, If there is any authority for such a statement, as far as Her Majesty's Government are concerned?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, I should, perhaps, have been able to give a better answer to the right hon. Gentleman if I had been aware that he was about to ask the question he has put to me.
§ MR. DISRAELIwas understood to say that he had given the best notice in his power.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI am not complaining of the course pursued by the right hon. Gentle-man, and simply refer to the want of notice as an apology for the imperfect nature of the answer which I am about to give. I have not had during the business hours of the day any communication from the Foreign Office upon this important subject; but I do not think, speaking of what was known up to this morning, that there is anything of consequence to add to the short statement made in another place by my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. Her Majesty's Government has earnestly entertained a desire to procure a Conference of the Representatives of the Powers of Europe, and though it cannot be said that the Government have very sanguine hopes of bringing affairs to a satisfactory issue, still it is thought the chances of arranging matters presented by such a course are such as should not be passed by, in view of the extreme calamities which it is sought to prevent, and which before the proposal of a Conference was made, appeared to be certainly impending over a great portion of Europe. Her Majesty's Government have, therefore, acceded to the proposal made to them as far as the questions it involves can be entertained by them; but the precise terms upon the basis of which the invitation was to be addressed to the Powers of Europe in general had not, I think, been finally adjusted, according to the latest information which I have received. At the same time, I do not think, as far as present information goes, that difficulty is likely to arise in connection with the adjustment of those terms. The purport of the passage 1201 the right hon. Gentleman has quoted, and upon which he asks a specific question, is that the three Courts seek conditions of agreement in territorial compensations which would offer indemnities and satisfaction to the claims of Prussia, Austria, and Italy; and he asks whether any foundation exists for the statement. I think that statement goes beyond the actual facts; but I cannot say precisely, and, indeed, it would be dangerous to describe in precise terms, what foundation there is for the statement, until we have before us the documents bearing upon the subject; and these, I hope, will be shortly in the possession of the House. I should not say, however, that seeking conditions of agreement in territorial compensations which has been given out as the basis of present proceedings, is an accurate description of that which has taken place.