§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he will state to the House the present limit of the advance of the Russian forces in Central Asia in the direction of Merv and of Herat, according to the latest information in possession of Her Majesty's Government?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKESir, according to the information in the possession of Her Majesty's Government, the 127 furthest point occupied by Russian troops is Gevers, or Gawors, on the road between Asterabad and Baba-Deurma; but parties of Russian Cavalry are reported to have traversed the Atak of Deregez.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTHow far is that from Merv?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEWe do not know the exact point and direction they may have gone, because there is no town.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTIs the hon. Baronet in a position to state distinctly whether or not the Russian forces are in Merv?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKEWe have no reason to suppose that they are.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTAre they or are they not?
§ SIR CHARLES W. DILKE1 am not there myself, so I cannot say; but we have no reason whatever to suppose they are.