HC Deb 21 July 1890 vol 347 cc335-6
MR. SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has yet obtained information as to whether the assertion that there are still Christian Armenian prisoners lying untried for the last two years in the gaols of Erzeroum and Erzingian be true; and, if so, will he use his influence to cause them to be tried, and, if innocent, set at liberty?

* THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. FER-GUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.

The Consul at Erzeroum reported in February last that five Armenians, who had been imprisoned for two years, were awaiting confirmation of a sentence of banishment. Her Majesty's Ambassador brought the matter unofficially to the notice of the Grand Vizier. Further inquiries will be made.

MR. SCHWANN

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the statement in the Daily News of 18th July, that it was owing to the advice of the British Government that the Turks are increasing the military in Armenia, and also to the report, in the same paper, that in Erzeroum people disappear, no one knows how or whither, and that during the late riots about one hundred persons disappeared, mostly women, who were at the public baths at the time, and are supposed to have been abducted by Mussulmans; and, if he has no information on the latter point, would he cause inquiries to be made into the truth of those reports?

* SIR J. FERGUSSON

As was stated in reply to a question from the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent on the 14th inst., certain recommendations made by the British, French, and Russian Consuls have been communicated to the Porte. A re-inforcement of the garrison of Erzeroum, and the patrolling of the country districts with cavalry, with a view to the protection of. the rural population, were amongst the measures recommended. No corroboration has been received of the alleged abduction of women.

MR. SCHWANN

Is it intended to use Turkish irregular cavalry in Armenia?

* SIR J. FERGUSSON

No, Sir"; I believe they are regular cavalry.