§ MR. FRANCIS STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the recently promulgated amnesty of the Sultan, releasing the Armenian political prisoners, will be extended to the Archbishops of Marash and Zeitoum, the Bishop of Moush, and the clergy and schoolmasters who have 1020 been imprisoned after an irregular trial; and, if not, whether Her Majesty's Government will use its good offices on their behalf?
§ *SIR E. GREYThe amnesty was in favour of a number of Armenians who had been arrested on suspicion, and does not, so far as we know, apply to persons who have been tried and sentenced to terms of imprisonment. Her Majesty's Ambassador, as I stated on the 20th March, made unofficial representations on behalf of the Archbishops; but their sentences have been confirmed by the Court of Cassation, and can only be remitted by the Sultan.
§ MR. FRANCIS STEVENSONI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will direct that the approaching trials of the Armenian prisoners in Angora shall be attended by a Representative of the British Embassy or by a Consular officer specially deputed for the purpose?
§ *SIR E. GREYIt is not proposed to send a Diplomatic or Consular officer specially to Angora; but Mr. Newton, the Vice Consul, who resides there, will be instructed to report upon the trials of the Armenian prisoners.