HC Deb 28 July 1896 vol 43 cc821-2
MR. FLYNN

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the recall of Abdullah Pasha has been determined upon by the Porto; and, if so, whether the representatives of the Powers will urge upon the Porte the extreme desirability of taking this step without further delay?

MR. CURZON

Her Majesty's Government have not heard that the recall of Abdullah Pasha has been determined upon by the Porte. A recommendation has been addressed by the foreign representatives at Constantinople to the Porte that the command of the troops in Crete should be given to an officer of lower rank than Abdullah Pasha. The Porte replied that the number of troops now in Crete required a commander of high rank. We have also been informed that the appointment of Abdullah Pasha is only a temporary one, and that instructions have been sent to him to act in concert with the Vali, and not to interfere in the civil administration.