§ COLONEL McCALMONT (Antrim, N.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether, by instructions from Lord Beaconsfield, six military officers with consular powers were appointed permanently to watch over the affairs of Armenia in 1879, and to report from time to time on the administration and affairs of the province; when, and by whom, were the orders given to cancel these appointments; whether reasons were given for the course taken; and if there is any objection to lay the Papers relating thereto upon the Table of the House?
MR. CURZONIn 1879 six Military Vice-Consuls were temporarily appointed in Asia Minor, under the orders of a Consul-General at Sivas, for the purpose of carrying out the arrangements connected with the Anglo-Turkish Convention of June 4, 1878. They were withdrawn in 1882 by Lord Granville. Lord E. Fitzmaurice stated in the House of Commons, August 4, 1884, that their endeavours to bring about reforms had been unsuccessful, and that there was no longer any 1138 justification for a continuation of the expenditure involved. There are no papers which could be laid.
§ MR. CHANNINGI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the attention of Her Majesty's Government has been called to the threatening attitude of Turkish troops to the Christian population in the neighbourhood of Erzinghian, in Armenia, and to alleged attacks in the last few days on villages and monasteries, and other acts of violence by these troops; and, whether immediate steps have been or will be taken, by representations here and at Constantinople and in Armenia, to prevent the outrages and possible massacres apprehended by the Christian population?
MR. CURZONNo such information has reached Her Majesty's Government, but inquiries have been made by telegraph of Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople.
§ MR. CHANNINGasked whether, in the event of the reports circulated yesterday being confirmed, Her Majesty's Government would take any steps in the matter.