§ MR. E. STANHOPEasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, If he can give the House any information as to the progress made by the Afghan Frontier Commission, and as to the steps which Her Majestys Government have taken in consequence of the occupation by Russian troops of some positions on the frontier which were within the disputed territory?
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked, Whether the Russians have lately occupied Pul-i-Khatun, on the perso-Afghan frontier, 60 miles beyond Sarakhs, and 160 miles nearer to India than Merv; where the British Boundary Commission now are; where the Russian Commissioner is at present; and, whether the British Government accept the occupation of Pul-i-Khatun by the Czar's troops in breach of the engagements of the Russian Government?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEThe British Commissioner, according to the most recent information, was on his way to Panjdeh; but the work of the Commission cannot begin until the arrival of his Russian colleague, whose departure from St. Petersburg was delayed, so that he cannot arrive at Sarakhs, the meeting-place of the Commission, before the latter part of January. The British and Russian Governments are in communication, with a view to defining a zone of territory within which the frontier line shall be traced; and Her Majesty's Government have pressed for 626 the withdrawal of any troops which have been advanced beyond Sarakhs, pending the meeting of the Commission.