MR. J. COWENasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can give any further information respecting the alleged abandonment of the forward policy of Russia in Central Asia; and, if it is true that General Scobeleff has been recalled, and a stop put to the aggressive operation of Russia in Asia?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, the statement which I made on a previous occasion in this House was substantially correct. General Skobeleff has been recalled, and military operations have terminated. I may add that we hear that eight battalions of his troops are already on their return march.
MR. J. COWENasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can lay on the Table Papers showing the communications on which he based his statement that the Russians are following a policy of withdrawal in the East?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEsaid, it was hardly possible to continue the production of these Papers one by one. He could not undertake to lay them all on the Table immediately; but the statement he had made was founded upon information supplied by Lord Dufferin, which would be found in the despatches to be laid upon the Table of the House.