§ MR. JOHN ELLIS (Nottingham, Rushcliffe)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Lord Salisbury's attention has been called to the fact, reported by The Times correspondent that on 8th June, that a company of the Sultan's troops invaded the peaceful district of Acroteri, in Crete, and desecrated three Christian churches, destroying pictures, crosses, and other sacred objects; and whether the Government are taking steps to prevent these outrages?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON,) Lancashire, SouthportHer Majesty's Consul in Crete has reported by telegraph that three churches have been desecrated by Turkish soldiers; but he did not mention the locality in which the offence was committed. The Representatives of the Great Powers at Constantinople are in constant communication, and their combined efforts are being energetically directed to induce the Turkish Government to take steps of a conciliatory character with a view to restoring order and preventing further conflict.
MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)May I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he himself was there? [Laughter.]