HC Deb 10 June 1881 vol 262 cc230-1
MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Czar has by Imperial Ukase incorporated in the Russian Empire the whole Country of the Tekke Turcomans, including Askabad, the furthest part of General Skobeleff's advance, notwithstanding the assurances of his Government that Russia did not intend to annex but merely to punish, the Turcomans; that this country is being colonised by Cossack and Russian immigrants, and that the railway from the Caspian towards Herat is being rapidly advanced; that a deputation of Turcoman leaders is at present at St. Petersburg, and has promised fidelity and military service to the Czar, thus securing for Russia the aid of some 60,000 of the finest cavalry in the world; and, that negotiations are in progress to secure the submission of the Turcomans of Merv also?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

Sir, an Imperial Ukase has been issued announcing the annexation to the Russian Empire of the territory of the Tekke Turcomans, occupied by the Russian troops, under the name of "Trans-Caspian territory." Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires at St. Petersburg has been informed that the territory thus described is the "Teke Oasis;" but we have no precise information as to its limits, or as to its being colonized. The last information we have received as to the progress of the Trans-Caspian railway was taken from a telegram from Krasnovodsk, published in The Golos, and dated April 19. It stated that the railway had been completed for a distance of 108 versts, and would reach Kagandchik by the middle of May. It appears that a deputation of Tekke Turcomans arrived at St. Petersburg on the 27th of May. They were accompanied by a Turcoman of Merv, who is stated to have come only with the object of seeing the capital of Russia, and reporting what he saw to his countrymen. We have no information as to negotiations being in progress to secure the submission of the Merv Turcomans.

MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT

asked whether the whole of the Tekke Turcoman territory was included in the annexation?

MR. E. STANHOPE

asked whether it would be possible to have a map placed in the Library showing the territory annexed?

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

said, that at present the Government did not know what the exact limits of the district were. When they did, no doubt a map could, with the assistance of the Intelligence Department of the War Office, be prepared.