§ MR. GOURLEYasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he is aware that the Turkish authorities on the Upper Danube have, contrary to the proclamation of the 1st of May, seized and set on fire a British corn-laden lighter; if so, what measures he intends adopting in order to prevent the seizure and destruction of British lighters and other steam-tugs now detained in the Upper Danube? Further, if he can inform the House of the nature of the blockade established in the Black Sea, if beginning at the entrance to the Dardanelles, the Bosphorus, or only outside Russian Black Sea ports; also, whether he will use the influence of Her Majesty's Government with that of the Turkish Government to procure an extension of the time allowed for leaving blockaded ports?
§ MR. BOURKEI only had time to notice this Question a short time before I came down to the House, but I think 500 I shall be able to give a satisfactory answer. With regard to the first part of the Question, I have to state that instructions have been issued by the Porte to the Turkish Commander-in-Chief, authorizing him to stop the property of neutrals in the Danube, in order that the operations of war might be carried on. These regulations, issued by the Porte, appeared in the newspapers some days ago. The Commander-in-Chief is authorized by the Porte to close the navigation of parts of the Danube, and also to detain neutral vessels, provided it should be necessary in order to carry on the operations of war, giving those neutral vessels indemnification. The regulations which we have received on the subject are now before the Law Officers of the Crown, and I have not yet received their Report, so that I cannot give any further information on that part of the subject. If any vessels have been destroyed it has probably occurred during the fighting which is reported to have happened on the Danube. With regard to the further Question of the hon. Member, I understand the hon. Gentleman to ask whether the blockade of the Black Sea is to take place on the Turkish waters?
§ MR. GOURLEYThe Dardanelles, the Bosphorus, or other parts of the Black Sea?
§ MR. BOURKEThe Turkish Government, of course, will not blockade their own ports; and. therefore, I understand that the regulations with regard to the blockade apply to the Russian ports of the Black Sea. A telegram was sent yesterday to Mr. Layard instructing him to use his best efforts to obtain an extension of the days of grace allowed to British ships.