§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the recent declaration of the Czar of Russia, which attempts to abrogate the 59th Article of the Treaty of Berlin, under which Batoum was declared to be a "free and commercial port," What steps Her Majesty's Government propose to take to obtain the judgment of the Signatory Powers to the Treaty of Berlin upon this violation of that Treaty, and of the solemn contract between the Czar 897 of Russia and the other Powers, and to prevent a condition menacing the liberty of the Black Sea?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)I have already stated, in reply to a Question from, the hon. Member for South Worcestershire, that Her Majesty's Government do not intend to carry this case beyond the position taken in Lord Rosebery's despatch of July 3rd.