MR. OWEN LEWISasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If his attention has been called to a statement which appeared in the news- 793 papers last week, that a Queen's Messenger, on his way from Berlin with important despatches, fell asleep in the railway carriage, and on awaking found that he had been robbed by a Prussian officer of certain papers and reports, and if he can inform the House if the statement is correct?
§ MR. BOURKESir, I apprehend the foundation for the statement alluded to by the hon. Member is only this—In September last a messenger who was travelling between Berlin and Brussels was robbed during the night of a bag containing money, papers, and other articles. There were no Despatches or letters belonging to Her Majesty's Government in the bag. There is not the slightest foundation for ascribing the robbery to a Prussian officer.