HC Deb 21 January 1897 vol 45 cc186-7
MR. GIBSON BOWLES

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign affairs, (1) whether Her Majesty's Government still adhere to the scheme of reforms for Turkey as proposed by Sir Philip Currie on the 19th January 1895, subsequently discussed and modified in concert with the French and Russian Ambassadors, presented to the Sultan on the 11th May 1895, accepted in its final improved form by the, Sultan, promulgated by Irade on the 17th October 1895, and declared by Sir Philip Currie to contain provisions which he believed were sufficient to give security for life and property to the Armenians provided that they could be really enforced; (2) whether this scheme has already been and is now being carried into effect in pursuance of the Trade of October 1895, whether another and further scheme of reforms is now being drawn up in secret conclave by the Ambassadors of the Powers at Constantinople; and, (8) whether he can give the House an assurance that the new scheme will not involve that direct interference in the internal affairs of Turkey which is forbidden by Article 9 of the Treaty of Paris, and also forbidden by implication by Article 63 of the Treaty of Berlin.

MR. CURZON

The scheme of reforms to which the hon. Member refers in his first paragraph related specifically to the Anatolian provinces of the Ottoman Empire. Some of these reforms, to the execution of which Her Majesty's Government continue to attach importance, have been put info operation; but it cannot be said that they have at all generally been carried into effect. The reforms which the Ambassadors are now discussing at Constantinople are reforms in Ottoman administration; but it is the desire of the Governmenst concerned that strict secrecy should for the present be maintained as to their character.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Do I understand that the right bon. Gentleman cannot give me an assurance that the reforms will not be in violation of the Treaty of Paris?

MR. CURZON

Considering that we have not as yet had any scheme put before us, I cannot give an assurance as to what may be its contents.