§ MR. BRYCEasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he has seen a statement in the "Daily News" of Friday last, that the Ottoman Porte is encouraging the Kurdish chiefs to form a league against the Christian populations among whom they live; and, whether, in case this statement is well founded, Her Majesty's Government will urge the Porte to desist from such a policy?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, a report lately reached Her Majesty's Government of an intention on the part of the Kurdish Chiefs to form a league; but we are not in a position to say what its objects are, or whether it is encouraged by the Porte. Inquiry will, however, be made; and if it appears that the league is formed in a spirit of hostility to the Christians, Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople will be instructed to urge the Turkish Government to protect them.