HC Deb 02 June 1891 vol 353 cc1464-6
MR. LABOUCHERE

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that on May 14 Deputy Chiala, in a speech in the Italian Parliament, in favour of a renewal after February, 1892, for a further period of five years of the Triple Alliance entered into in February, 1887, between Germany, Austria, and Italy for five years, made the following observations, the facts in which were uncontradicted by any Member of the Italian Ministry:— Contemporaneously (1887), and to this I call the particular attention of the Chamber, special undertakings were entered into between England and Italy of such importance for the defence of Italian interests, which were recognised as identical with British interests, that when Count Robilant communicated them in general terms to the Council of Ministers the Honourable Depretis said that, never had any Government in Italy dared to hope to obtain what the Honourable Robilant had obtained, and added 'our position is now secured on sea and land'; so long as Italy and England shall remain (solidali) jointly and severally liable with the Central Powers, I think that it would be too risky an enterprise for France to attempt re-conquest even if that Power could count on Russia"; whether Deputy Chiala has accurately described the undertakings entered into between this country and Italy in 1887 as being of such importance that, owing to them, Italy was able, in joining the Triple Alliance, to feel that her position was secured by sea and land, and whether Her Majesty's Government has at any time given such assurances of joint and several liability to the Central Powers that, in consequence of them, France, even with the aid of Russia, would deem any attempt to re-acquire the provinces that she lost in 1870 too risky an enterprise; and whether, in view of the fact that these understandings are being urged in the Italian Parliament as a reason why Italy should renew the Triple Alliance, the Secretary of State will, should there be any truth in the statements of Deputy Chiala, lay before this House all information in respect to the undertakings or assurances alleged to have been given by him to Italy in 1887?

MR. PICTON (Leicester)

I wish to ask further whether the right hon. Gentleman has read an article in the Contemporary Review, written by an Italian statesman whose period of office was significantly conterminous with that of Signor Crispi, and whether he has observed that in that article it is assumed that the engagement has been entered into, and whether the assumption is justifiable?

THE UNDER SECRETARY or STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir J. PERQUSSON,) Manchester, N.E.

The question of the undertakings entered into by Her Majesty's Government was fully discussed in the House in 1888 on an Amendment to the Address moved by the hon. Member, and Her Majesty's Government have nothing to add to the explanations offered on that occasion, and in the answer to a question put by him on the 19th July, 1889.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Am I to understand Her Majesty's Government to declare that the statements made by the Deputy Chiala are entirely destitute of foundation?

SIR J. FERGUSSON

No, I do not say that at all. On a former occasion the hon. Member based his question on a speech attributed to the Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, but it is not for me to say whether the speech in question is rightly reported, or expressed the sentiments of the speaker. I have only to declare what Her Majesty's Government are responsible for, and that I did in great detail on these two former occasions.

MR. LABOUCHERE

If I put down a question, will the right hon. Gentleman give a specific answer, and not refer us to what took place in a Debate four or five years ago. My recollection of that Debate is that there was to a certain extent a sort of diplomatic evasion.

SIR J. FERGUSSON

I think, if the hon. Member will do me the favour of referring to the Debate to which I have alluded, in Hansard's Debates, third series, vol. 322, p. 1182, he will see that I gave a precise answer, and the circumstances have not changed since.