HC Deb 16 February 1871 vol 204 cc318-9
SIR JOHN HAY

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the declaration made by Mr. Odo Russell to Count Bismarck on the 21st November (contained in No. 76, page 45, of the Correspondence respecting the Treaty of March 1856)—namely, that The question was one which Mr. Odo Russell had frankly proved to Count Bismarck was of a nature in its present state to compel us, with or without Allies, to go to war with Russia, was authorized by Her Majesty's Government, and what preparation Her Majesty's Government had made in support of their threat?

MR. GLADSTONE

, in reply, said: The argument used by Mr. Odo Russell to Count Bismarck, as reported by him to Her Majesty's Government in the despatch alluded to, was not one which had been directed by Her Majesty's Government. In saying that, I do not imply the slightest blame attached to Mr. Odo Russell, because it is perfectly well known that it is the duty of Her Majesty's diplomatic agents abroad to use their best discretion in the mode in which they think they can support the argument or proposition it might be their duty to procure the acceptance of. I do not attach the slightest blame to Mr. Odo Russell in the matter; but such is the fact, that it was not under any specific authority or instruction from Her Majesty's Government that the argument referred to was used by him.