§ LORD JOHN MANNERSasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether Her Majesty's Government are taking any and, if so, what steps to procure the prompt execution of the unfulfilled provisions of the Treaty of Berlin which do not depend upon the action of Turkey?
MR. GLADSTONEThere are a very large number of unfulfilled provisions in the Treaty of Berlin—that is to say, of provisions which are partially fulfilled, as well as of some that are wholly unfulfilled. Out of the 60 odd Articles of the Treaty there are about 24 in regard to which the provisions are yet in one of those two categories. We should desire to see all the obligatory provisions fulfilled—I do not say those that are optional. At the same time, we think a distinction may be made between those that are important and those that are less important. For example, there is the question of the Frontier between Roumelia and Bulgaria, which is a matter not finally settled, but which advances towards settlement; but we cannot think that questions of that kind, nor even the much more important one of razing the fortresses, is to be compared in importance with those provisions in which the action of Turkey is principally concerned, because those are provisions which bear directly upon the peace and security of the districts concerned, upon the possession of guarantees for life, property, and honour. Undoubtedly we shall take all steps, as opportunity may offer, for the fulfilment of the provisions of the whole Treaty.