§ SIR HENRY TYLER (Great Yarmouth)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, To state, as far as he can do so without detriment to the public service, the latest information received in regard to the position of Prince Alexander in Bulgaria, and the nature of any communications that have passed between the Great Powers as to the future of Bulgaria, as well as the position which has been taken up by Her Majesty's Government on that subject?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGUSSON) (Manchester, N.E.)The position of Prince Alexander is that he has abdicated his Throne, and the proceedings prescribed by the Treaty of Berlin with reference to the election of a Prince of Bulgaria will naturally follow. They are—a free Election by the Assembly, the confirmation by the Sublime Porte, and the assent of the Treaty Powers. While the action following upon the late events in Bulgaria is in so early a stage, I believe that the House will approve of my excusing myself from entering upon the communications between the Great Powers. Such a course at the present time could hardly fail to embarrass Her Majesty's Government, and to diminish its beneficial influence. I am permitted, however, to say that Her Majesty's Government have no reason to believe that the action of any of the Powers will be inconsistent with their Treaty engagements.