§ MR. RYLANDSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with reference to the Despatch, under date of July 28, 1876, from Prince Gortchakow to Count Schouvaloff, in which the following passage occurs, viz.:—
Our Acting Consul at Philippopolis informs us, under date of 20th of July, that the English Commission charged with an inquiry into the Bulgarian massacres has returned to that town, after visiting a great number of villages. The data it has collected entirely confirm the facts mentioned in the reports of our Agent, and which were always communicated by General Ignatiew to his colleagues, including the English Ambassador,"—whether there are any Papers showing the dates upon which information was given by General Ignatiew to Sir Henry 1258 Elliot of the Reports of the Acting Russian Consul at Philippopolis in relation to the Bulgarian massacres, or any Papers particularising the facts contained in the Reports of the Russian Consul so communicated to Sir Henry Elliot; and, if so, whether he will lay such Papers upon the Table of the House?
§ MR. BOURKESir, in answer to the Question of the hon. Member for Burnley, I have to state that there are no Papers at the Foreign Office of the nature referred to in the hon. Member's Question. I think that is a complete answer to the Question; but it may be convenient to add that the hon. Member will find in one of the Blue Books presented last year a despatch from Sir Henry Elliot on this subject. It is on page 144 that this occurs.
§ MR. RYLANDSWhat is the date?
§ MR. BOURKEI do not know the date, but the despatch will be found there, and the passage to which I refer is this—
The movement has no political character whatever, having been got up by the workmen, amongst whom are many foreigners, especially Italians, employed on the railway. I consider that too much importance should not be attached to the movement.