§ MR. M'COANasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Government regard the Treaty extorted by General Bréard from the Bey of Tunis on the 13th instant as consistent with the declarations of M. Saint Hilaire previously reported to this House as to the intended 682 object and limits of the French Expedition to Tunis; and, if not, whether it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to protest against so grave a violation of International Law as this forcible imposition of a French Suzerainty on the Regency indisputably constitutes; and, whether the said Treaty, so extorted, will in any way, and to what extent, affect the rights and privileges secured to Foreigners residing in, or trading to, Tunis, under the existing capitulations and Treaties between the Sublime Porte and the European Powers?
The following Question on the same subject also stood on the Notice Paper in the name of the Earl of BECTIVE:—To ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, seeing that if Her Majesty's Government considered Tunis to be under the suzerainty of the Sultan, and no final Treaty could therefore be entered into by the Bey without ratification by the Sublime Porte, Her Majesty's Government, in accord with the terms of the Berlin Treaty and the Anglo-Turkish Convention, would prevent the insertion of clauses in any French Treaty with the Bey which might undermine the authority of the Sultan, or interfere with the rights of other nations under Treaties with the Ottoman Porte, or its suzerain the Bey; also to ask, if Her Majesty's Government will protest against the permanent occupation by the French of the Ports of Bizerta, Susa, and Gabes, inasmuch as such occupation would menace our communications with the East; if Her Majesty's Government will protest against any terms being forced upon the Bey winch would interfere with the proper representation of British and Italian interests in the composition of the International Financial Commission which at present exists at Tunis; and, if Her Majesty's Government will take steps to prevent the imposition of a protective tariff in Tunis against the introduction of British manufactures which at present constitute the principle European import trade in that Country?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEI conclude that the Questions of the hon. Member for Wicklow County and the noble Lord the Member for 'Westmoreland were put on the Paper before the conversation yesterday on the affairs of Tunis. I then stated that it appeared the more convenient course to defer any 683 discussion of particular points until the whole of the case was submitted to this House in the Papers which will shortly be laid before Parliament, and in this view the majority of the House will no doubt agree. If hon. Members are not satisfied with those Papers, they will then have the opportunity of submitting a Motion upon the subject. With regard to the noble Lord's Questions, I would point out that the Anglo-Turkish Convention contained no reference to the dominion of Turkey in Africa, and we have not heard that the French troops are in the neighbourhood of Susa or Gabes.
§ MR. M'COANasked how far the existing Treaties would be operative?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEI do not wish to be drawn into further answers by further Questions. We have not yet got an official communication of the text of the Treaty; but we have been informed by the French Government that they have exercised the utmost care that the rights and privileges secured to foreigners under existing Treaties shall continue to exist.
THE EARL OF BECTIVEasked for an answer to the third paragraph of ins second Question with regard to preventing the imposition of a protective tariff in Tunis against the introduction of British manufactures?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEThat paragraph is partly covered by the answer I gave. The existing Treaties with Tunis will undoubtedly continue in force.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFasked whether the Capitulations would continuo in force?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEI must ask the hon. Member to give Notice of his Question.
§ SIR H. DRUMMOND WOLFFI will put the Question on Thursday.
§ MR. RITCHIEMay I ask on what footing the Treaty with Tunis stands?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEPerhaps the hon. Member will give Notice of the Question.
THE EARL OF BECTIVEPerhaps the hon. Baronet will inform the House whether there is any truth in the statement that General Bréard on the 15th instant occupied the city of Tunis with a large body of troops under the direct orders of the French Government that 684 he was to remain there until His Highness the Bey had distinctly stated that his protest to the Porte, to the effect that he signed the Treaty under protest, was revoked?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEWe have not heard of any occupation of the city of Tunis by French troops; but they are just outside.