§ LORD ROBERT MONTAGUasked Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether Russian troops now occupy parts of Turkish territory other than those where they have a right to be in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty of San Stefano, or the Treaty of Berlin; and, if so, for what reason they remain there; and, whether any representations have been made to induce them to withdraw from the territories of an allied sovereign in time of peace, where their presence presents frequent occasions of dispute or war?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERAll I can say at present on this subject is, that Her Majesty's Government are not prepared to say how far the occupation of the territory referred to in the Question of the noble Lord is inconsistent with Articles 25 and 26 of the Treaty of San Stefano.
§ LORD ROBERT MONTAGUThe right hon. Gentleman has not answered the last part of my Question—whether any representations have been made to induce the Russian troops to withdraw from the territories of an allied Sovereign in a time of peace?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI stated that we were not prepared to say that the Russian troops, being where they were, was a violation of certain Articles of the Treaty of San Stefano; and it may be inferred from that answer that Her Majesty's Government have not made any representations founded upon any construction of that Treaty, or the Treaty of Berlin. Undoubtedly, it will be seen from the examination of one of the Protocols, that one of the earliest representations made to the Congress of Berlin was with the view to the withdrawal of the Russian forces from the positions which they have occupied in Turkey.