HC Deb 10 March 1897 vol 47 c428

On the Motion "That this House do now adjourn,"

SIR W. HARCOURT

said: I wish to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will communicate to the House the text of the replies given by the Porte and by Greece to the Notes that have been addressed to them, and particularly that of the supplementary reply which I see it is stated in the journals to-day has been made by the Greek Government?

MR. JAMES LOWTHER (Kent, Thanet)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, may I ask whether there is any news that can be communicated to the House with regard to the expedition for the relief of the garrison and loyal population of Candamos?

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. G. CURZON,) Lancashire, Southport

In reply to the right hon. Gentleman the Leader of the Opposition, I have to say we have not heard of any supplementary reply from the Greek Government. With regard to the two replies from the Greek Government and from the Porte, both will be laid on the Table with the utmost possible speed. No reply has been received from the Porte to the supplementary Note, but we have reason to believe they accept it in principle. With regard to the question of the relief of Candamos, I am very happy to be able to inform the House that we have received a telegram from Her Majesty's Consul, Sir A. Biliotti, to this effect:— Successfully rescued to-day, but not without the greatest peril, 523 men, 1,047 women and children, and 340 soldiers from Candamos. Picked (up) on way back 112 soldiers from Spaniako blockhouse. Natives of Candamos embarked. We are now embarking Mussulman refugees at Selino Castelli, about 1,000. Danger of Christians attacking Selino Castelli.

House adjourned at Ten minutes before Six o'clock.