§ LORD ROBERT MONTAGUI hope the First Lord of the Admiralty will be able to give a denial to two telegrams in The Times this morning which I think ought not to go forth without denial if they are true—[Laughter]—I meant to say untrue. I allude to a telegram which states that a man-of-war's boat's crew, commanded by a lieutenant, were taken prisoners near Gallipoli by the Russians, and that another boat's crew being sent 1853 from a man-of-war to bring them back, were fired upon, and that two of the shots went through the boat. What I desire is to ask the First Lord of the Admiralty, Whether he can contradict that statement?
§ MR. W. H. SMITHThe noble Lord has asked me to contradict a statement if true; but I am sure he does not really wish me to do so. There does appear to be some foundation for the statement in The Times, but the information at present received is very inadequate. Shortly before I came down to the House I received a telegram from Admiral Commerel to the following effect:—
Steamboat was looking for two officers of Swiftsure who were missing in her skiff; they had landed, and were being detained by Russians, but have since returned on board.The Swiftsure's boat was fired into, I believe; but we have no information what the circumstances were. Admiral Horn by has telegraphed to the Admiralty that he is inquiring into the matter, and will make a Report. Until we have such a Report it would be most unadvisable to make any definite statement on the subject.