MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government have been informed that in the spring of last year an Afghan force attacked and drove out 48 from Somatash, in the Alichur Pamir, a Chinese force, then in occupation of that place; whether the Afghans subsequently carried off the Kirghiz chiefs of Barzilla Jai and Bash Gumbaz, together with several families of the inhabitants; whether any demand for an explanation of these acts has been addressed by the Chinese Government to Her Majesty's Government as representing the Ameer of Afghanistan; and whether such demand has been entertained by Her Majesty's Government; and, if so, what explanation has been afforded?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir E. GREY,) Northumberland, BerwickAs regards the first point, it is generally correct that an occurrence of the kind stated took place. As regards the second, all knowledge of it is denied by the Ameer, who has asked for further particulars of the alleged incident. With regard to both, communications of the most friendly nature have passed between Her Majesty's Government and that of China.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESThat scarcely answers my question. Have the Chinese Government demanded explanation?
§ SIR E. GREYI said that communications of the most friendly nature had passed. The matter was referred to the Ameer, who replied that he had no knowledge of the facts, and asked for further particulars.
§ SIR E. GREYI stated that the Chinese Government had made representations.
§ SIR E. GREYYes; and the matter has been referred to the Ameer.