§ MR. C. E SCHWANN (Manchester, N.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what are the specific offences for which the Armenian Archbishops of Marash and Zeitoun, and the Bishop of Moush, are now, and have been for some years, in prison: for what offence the Bishop of Arabzir has been exiled to Jerusalem, and detained as a State prisoner in the Armenian Patriarchate in that city: and, whether Her Majesty's Government will exert its influence 186 to secure the release of those Prelates, having regard to the 62nd Article of the Treaty of Berlin?
§ SIR E. GREYHer Majesty's Government understand that the Archbishop of Marash (or Fermonz) was charged with harbouring rebels. The Archbishop of Zeitoun with having been president of a revolutionary committee, of having fortified a monastery, attacked the Zeitoun Prison, and enabled two prisoners to escape. The Bishop of Moush was accused of inciting the Armenian population to sedition. The Bishop of Arabzir was reported to be an active member of the Revolutionary Party, he was first removed to Diarbekr, where he again incited the people, and was eventually exiled to Jerusalem. As regards the measures to be taken for the release of these prisoners, I have nothing to add to my replies to the hon. Member on April 19th and July 31st last. The cases have had careful attention, and all that has hitherto been both justifiable and possible has been done by Her Majesty s Embassy.