HC Deb 18 April 1871 vol 205 c1241
MR. EASTWICK

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government have received information of any movement or concentration of Russian troops destined to act against Khiva; and whether there is reason to suppose that only a temporary occupation is intended, or a permanent conquest?

VISCOUNT ENFIELD

Sir, the only information Her Majesty's Government have on the subject alluded to by the hon. Gentleman is contained in a despatch from Mr. Consul General Abbott, from Odessa, under date March 27. That gentleman sends an extract from the Odessa Messenger of that day, announcing as a rumour from Orenburg that a force of five detachments would enter the Steppes of Orenburg at the end of March or beginning of April, and would afterwards go on a reconnaissance to the Sea of Aral.