§ CAPTAIN PIMasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether he can give an assurance that the British Government will not allow Russia to disturb the "balance of power" in her own favour, either by the seizure of lands in Armenia or the transfer of the Turkish fleet, or by any interference with the Dardanelles; and, whether he can inform the House if any guarantee has been obtained against the occupation of the isthmus of Gallipoli, so as to insure the freedom of movement of the British fleet?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERWith reference to the first Question, I am afraid that the House will be as tired of hearing as I am tired of explaining that we have not yet received any authentic information as to the terms of peace which are being negotiated; and until those terms are 450 known to us, any Question of the character of that asked by my hon. and gallant Friend must necessarily be of a hypothetical character, and, therefore, ought not to be answered. If it should appear that the terms of peace in any way injuriously affect the interests of this country, Her Majesty's Government will take the proper course to vindicate and protect those interests. With regard to the second Question, I can only say that the whole of the engagements that have been made connected with the occupation of the Isthmus of Gallipoli and that neighbourhood have already been laid upon the Table of the House.