§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)asked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the telegrams from Constantinople which appeared in the newspapers on Monday the 30th of April, summarizing the remonstrances addressed by the Armenian Patriarch to the Ottoman Porte, on the subject of various acts of oppression and persecution committed on the Armenian subjects of the Sultan and violations of the privileges hitherto enjoyed by the Armenian churches; and, whether, if these remonstrances are correctly reported, and there is reason to believe that the acts complained of have been committed, Her Majesty's Government will, considering the serious consequences which may follow from prolonged irritation on the part of the Armenian Church and people, and having regard to the obligations undertaken in Article LXI. of the Treaty of Berlin, use their influence with the Porte to obtain a redress of these grievances, and a discontinuance of the persecutions practised on the Armenian Christians?
THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE (Sir JAMES FERGAISSON) (Manchester, N.E.)Her Majesty's Government are aware of the reports of grievances complained of by Armenian subjects of the Imperial Ottoman Government, but they are not at present in a position to judge of the accuracy of the statements referred to. They have 1226 no rights in respect to this matter under the Treaty of Berlin, except in conjunction with the other Signatory Powers. But their influence will be constantly used to procure the redress of any ascertained grievances, under whatever conditions of time and opportunity shall seem to our agents on the spot to promise the best prospect of success.
§ MR. BRYCEasked, whether the Government would take steps to ascertain if the facts were as stated?
§ SIR JAMES FERGUSSONsaid, Her Majesty's Representatives would, no doubt, report on the subject.