§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTasked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether Her Majesty's Government intend to maintain the absolute integrity of the Afghan territory from Russian occupation and influence; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will lay upon the Table the various pledges given by the Russian Government with regard to Afghanistan?
MR. GLADSTONEThe declarations of Her Majesty's Government and of 1049 other Governments on former occasions all remain in full force with respect to the Afghan territory. With regard to the second part of the Question, I have to say that this is a moment when negotiations are proceeding with the Russian Government on the subject of the boundaries of Afghanistan; and while it is true that there has recently been an indication in some journal or journals of an intention on the side of the Russians to attack Herat, that has been in the most positive manner repudiated; and I do not think this moment will be convenient for me to enter into any detailed explanation beyond what I have said as to the declarations which have been made at various times by the Russian Government, that Afghanistan Proper was beyond the sphere of Russian influence, and the Government will rely upon that. These are all of them in the various Papers in the possession of Parliament.
§ MR. BOURKEasked whether Sariyazi, on the Murghab River, was within the limits of Afghanistan; whether it was not placed in all the maps in the India Office within the limits of Afghanistan; and, whether it was not the same place that the Under Secretary of State for India had pronounced that the Russians were not to take possession of?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSI understand the right hon. Gentleman to ask whether Sariyazi is in Afghanistan. I am not able to answer that Question, and it is impossible to answer it until we have received information from the Commissioner in Afghanistan.
§ MR. BOURKEBut as to the maps in the India Office?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSI am sorry to say that they do not seem to be in accordance with other maps.
§ MR. BOURKEHas the hon. Gentleman seen any maps in the India Office where it is not in Afghan territory?
§ MR. J. K. CROSSThe maps vary very much. The boundaries are exceedingly uncertain, and I cannot say I have seen any map in the India Office in which Sariyazi is outside the boundaries of Afghanistan.
§ MR. ASHMEAD-BARTLETTI wish to ask a Question arising out of the answer just given by the Prime Minister. The right hon. Gentleman stated that recent assurances had been received 1050 from the Russian Government to the effect that they had no intention of occupying or advancing on Herat. Do those assurances also refer to the positions which command Herat upon Afghan territory, and which are, perhaps, of more importance than Herat itself?