§ MR. BRYCE (Aberdeen, S.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Turkish Government persists in the intention it declared some time ago to arm. certain regiments of Kurdish irregular troops; and, what communications have passed between Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the Sultan with regard to this hazardous scheme?
§ SIR J. FERGUSSONWe have no reason to believe that the proposed organisation of the Turkish Cavalry is abandoned. From the Reports on the subject, which we have received from Sir W. White, it appears that the object with which it has been undertaken is to create a Body of Cavalry after the model of the Cossacks, for the defence of the border provinces of the Empire. Sir W. White has made inquiries on the subject, but there does not appear to be anything in the scheme which calls for communications to the Porte on the part of Her Majesty's Government, and none have been made.