§ MR. F. S. STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he is in a position to make any statement with respect to recent incidents and the present situation at Van?
§ MR. J. C. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the terms of the proposed mediation between the Turkish authorities and the Armenians at Van are those submitted by the Porte, and not the conditions demanded by the representatives of the Powers; and, whether the British Ambassador will be instructed to adhere to the conditions laid down by the above-mentioned representatives?
*MR. CURZONTelegrams have been received from Her Majesty's Vice Consul at Van reporting serious disturbances and loss of life there since the 16th instant. The local authorities and the regular troops are stated to have behaved well. The Representatives of the Powers at Constantinople have not, 70 as is suggested in the second Question, themselves demanded any conditions for an arrangement between the Turkish Authorities and the Armenians at Van. Proposals were made by the Turkish Government, but were considered by Her Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires to require important modifications. The Sultan having asked for the local mediation of the British Vice Consul at Van, and of a delegate appointed by the French Ambassador, they are now endeavouring, in concert with the Russian and Persian Consuls, to effect a settlement.
§ SIR. E. ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)asked the right hon. Gentleman whether the Government had any information as to how these disturbances in the province of Van began?
*MR. CURZONI am sorry I cannot give an authoritative explanation at present, because the only intimation we have received is by telegram, which does not convey a clear account of the origin of these disturbances.