§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether Her Majesty's Ministers recognize the absorption by the Russian Government of the country up to Old Sarakhs; whether they have accepted Pul-i-Khatun, which is 50 miles 84 south of Sarakhs, and 150 miles south of Merv, as the starting point of the new Russo-Afghan frontier; and, when the Papers promised in February last will be presented to the House?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, in view of the communication with Russia, it is not advisable that I should make any statement in this House in regard to Old Sarakhs or Pul-i-Khatun. The Papers promised in February have been laid on the Table as No. 1 Central Asia.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, When the proposed Boundary Commission will commence its work, and what stops are being taken meanwhile to check the constant advance of the Czar's troops towards Herat; and, whether Her Majesty's Ministers have clearly intimated to the Russian Government that they do not recognize the assumption of the Russian Staff Map, which carries the Afghan frontier back to within 50 miles of Herat?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEI cannot, under present circumstances, give any information in regard to the communications which are passing between Her Majesty's Government and the Russian Government respecting the Afghan Frontier Question?
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTsaid, he wished to ask the noble Lord a further Question—namely, Whether the Russian Government has given any undertaking not to proceed with those constant advances, while Her Majesty's Ministers are making up their minds?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICEsaid, he had already stated that he could not, while negotiations were pending, give partial information to the House.