§ MR. BOURKEasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he will lay upon the Table of the House Papers from Lord Dufferin as to the sole action of the several European Powers pending the deliberations of the Conference?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, a proposal made by the Italian Ambassador at the third meeting of the Conference on the 27th of June, that it should be understood that, while the Conference lasted, the Powers would abstain from any isolated enterprize in Egypt, was accepted under the reserve of force majeure, such as the necessity of protecting the lives of their countrymen (nationaux). At the next meeting, on the 30th of June, Lord Dufferin declared in distinct terms that Her Majesty's Government would consider any attack upon the Canal or any sudden change or catastrophe which menaced our special interests as comprehended under the term of force majeure embodied in the reserve appended to Count Corti's proposition. No comments were made in the Conference upon this declaration.