§ SIR GEORGE CAMPBELLasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether, in consequence of instructions previously issued, the Turkish troops were not allowed to interfere with the brigands who carried off Mr. Suter, lest in so doing they should injure an Englishman; whether the Turkish Government is nevertheless held responsible for the occurrence; and, whether Her Majesty's Government have again adopted the plan of compounding with the brigands, paying them large sums and guaranteeing their security, as was done on a former occasion, and so giving them the utmost possible temptation to capture as many Englishmen as possible?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEHer Majesty's Government considered it their duty to take such steps as were in their power to save the life of Mr. Suter. Her Majesty's Consul General at Salonica was accordingly authorized to pay the ransom demanded by the brigands, if they could not be induced to accept a smaller sum; and the Turkish Government were informed that they would be held responsible for the amount, and for an indemnity to Mr. Suter's widow in the event of his being killed by the brigands. Mr. Blunt considered it necessary, to insure Mr. Suter's safety, that the brigands should not be pursued by troops as long as he was in their hands, and the Turkish authorities were requested to give orders to that effect. A telegram has been received stating 1323 that Mr. Suter has been liberated; but that Mr. Blunt was obliged to pay the whole ransom demanded. We are not aware that the security of the brigands has been in any way guaranteed. A notice has been issued warning British subjects that Her Majesty's Government will not in future be responsible in similar cases.