HC Deb 18 February 1884 vol 284 cc1201-2
MR. ONSLOW

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether Her Majesty's Government have received any confirmation of the report of the annexation of Merv and the neighbouring country by the Russian Government; and, if so, what steps, if any, Her Majesty's Government intend to take in consequence?

MR. GLADSTONE

All the information of which we are in possession with regard to the subject-matter of the hon. Gentleman's Question is contained in two telegrams from Her Majesty's Ambassador at St. Petersburg, which I will read to the House. The first is dated the 14th of February, and says— Representatives of four tribes of the Merv Turcomans presented themselves at Askabad on the 1st instant, and swore allegiance to the Czar, and invited Russia to accept the government of the country. The next, dated the 15th instant, is as follows:— The Emperor has determined to accept the allegiance of the tribes, and will send an officer to administer the government of the country. He will, perhaps, be accompanied by a Turcoman escort. These telegrams appear to imply a virtually complete submission of the Merv Turcomans to Russia. Should this prove to be the case, and should any diplomatic action arise out of that fact, Parliament will be duly advised of it at the proper time.

MR. ONSLOW

said, that in consequence of the answer of the right hon. Gentleman he wished to ask him whether he would not telegraph to our Ambassador at Teheran, asking whether he could confirm the statement as to the annexation of Merv by Russia?

MR. GLADSTONE

We have had some information from the Minister at Teheran, but it is of a less definite and precise character than the telegrams I have read; and it is for that reason that I made the reservation in my answer, when I said—" Should this prove to be the case." Probably, in a day or two, we shall have further information on the subject.

MR. ONSLOW

My Question is, why could you not telegraph at once to the Minister at Teheran? I do not ask for the information just now; but I ask why the right hon. Gentleman could not telegraph to ascertain if the information is confirmed?

MR. GLADSTONE

The Minister at Teheran sends to us whatever he learns in relation to the subject. What he has sent amounts to less, and is less definite and distinct, than what is contained in the telegrams I have read to the House.

MR. E. STANHOPE

May I give a Notice in reference to this subject? There are a good many points that want to be cleared up in relation to it, yet I feel that it is hardly fair to expect from the Government at the present moment, in answer to a Question, a definite statement of policy; and therefore I beg to give Notice that on the Report of the Address I shall call attention to the recent proceedings of Russia in Central Asia, and ask some Questions upon them.