MR. JOSEPH COWENasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If the Conference has made a further application to the Porte to send troops to Egypt, and if the Government are aware whether or not the Porte has replied in the affirmative to the request?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEMy hon. Friend speaks of a further application by the Conference to the Porte to send troops. The Conference made its first and only proposal on the subject on Saturday last, and Identic Notes were presented to the Porto on Saturday afternoon. Up to the present time no reply has been received.
§ MR. BOURKEI gave Notice on Friday that I would to-day ask the hon. Baronet some questions about the 713 Conference. I wish to ask him now, will that Identic Note be laid on the Table?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEI do not think it would be desirable to lay it on the Table as a separate Paper; but I do not see any reason why its terms should not be read to the House. I will consider the matter, and let the right hon. Gentleman know to-morrow. I say that because it is not only a portion of the proceedings of the Conference, but by its presentation it has now passed outside the scope of the Conference.
§ MR. BOURKEIS there any idea when an answer is likely to be received from the Porte?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKENo, Sir; but from conversations bearing upon the subject that have already taken place it is possible that no written reply will be received; it is impossible for me to say when a reply will be received, but it has been pressed for.
§ MR. W. H. SMITHasked the Secretary to the Admiralty, If the Admiral Commanding in Chief at Alexandria is in direct telegraphic communication with the senior naval officers at Port Said and at Suez; and, if he will state whether adequate precautions have been taken for the protection of British shipping passing through the Suez Canal?
§ MR. BRYCEasked the hon. Gentleman to answer another Question, of which he had given him private Notice, whether he could state if ships were now passing through the Canal; and, in particular, whether the East India mail steamers had come through?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANSir, as the right hon. Gentleman, no doubt, is well aware, telegraphic communication between Alexandria, Port Said, and Suez is conducted overland. This communication has been interrupted for some days, and we do not know that it has yet been restored. There is, however, circuitous means of telegraphic communication through Syria. With regard to British shipping passing through the Suez Canal, Her Majesty's Government are fully alive to the importance of affording it adequate protection, and have taken such steps as appear necessary for that purpose. I may add that we have a telegram, dated yesterday evening, from Admiral Hoskins, at Port Said, reporting everything quiet.
§ MR. BOURKEHave these steps been taken in conjunction with any other Powers?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANThe Question is one that should be addressed to another Department.
§ MR. STEWART MACLIVERasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can state whether the Financial Control in Egypt is likely to be re-established; and, whether the subject is one of those left to the decision of the Powers?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEThe general object for which the Powers met was the restoration in Egypt of the former condition of affairs; but it would be impossible for me to make any statement at present respecting the details of future arrangements.
§ MR. W. M. TORRENSasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether any information has been received regarding the removal of the archives and records of the European Courts previous to the recent fire at Alexandria?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEMr. Cartwright telegraphs that the Courts are safe and protected by an English guard. I assume the records are safe.