§ SIR JOSEPH M'KENNAasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, in view of the diminished area from which in future the Ottoman Empire can draw revenue, and in view of the recognized claims of Russia, which appear to rank with those of the ordinary creditors, not covered by hypothecations, Her Majesty's Government will extend their friendly offices to bring under the consideration of the Russian Government some scheme for an equitable adjustment of the claims of all the unsecured creditors of Turkey, and for the liquidation of such claims, on terms which may be practicable for the Ottoman Government to carry through; and in favour of which creditors holding hypothecacations, who are nevertheless interested in Ottoman credit, may be likely to make some sacrifices?
§ MR. BOURKESir, if the hon. Member will refer to pages 268 and 269 of "Turkey," No. 39 (Protocols), which has been laid upon the Table, he will find that all questions concerning the indebtedness of Turkey, and her financial capacity for meeting it, have been referred by Congress to an International Commission. It is not the intention of Her Majesty's Government to anticipate the decisions at which that Commission may arrive by making any proposals of their own.