§ MR. C. E. SCHWANNI beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has been informed that Bahri Pasha, Governor of Van, in Armenia, is intimidating witnesses who wish to appear before the Commission; and if he will make inquiries, and should those inquiries confirm the above statement, will Her Majesty's Government insist on the immediate suspension from his post of Bahri Pasha?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYHer Majesty's Government have received a report that the Governor of Van is unfavourably disposed towards the Armenians and Christian population of his district, and Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople will be instructed to make a representation on the subject. They had not heard of any proceeding on his part of the nature described, and 1271 if he had so acted it is scarcely probable that the fact would not have been reported by Her Majesty's Vice Consul, but they will make inquiry.
§ MR. F. S. STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the attention of the Foreign Office has been called to a Reuter's despatch from Constantinople stating that, according to authentic information, the number of clerical and lay Armenians who have been thrown into prison in the various provinces for political reasons is estimated at between 2,500 and 3,000, and enumerating the principal prelates and others who are in prison or exile; and, whether, in view of the large numbers who are undergoing punishment without trial or after mock trials, Her Majesty's Government will make serious representations on the subject to the Porte?
§ SIR EDWARD GREYThe matter is receiving the close attention of Her Majesty's Government, and, in consequence of information which has been received from British Consular officers, a representation will be made to the Porte.