§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the cordon round Candia has recently been extended, and the regular Turkish troops allowed to occupy positions in advance of those previously occupied by them; whether this has been done in spite of the protests of the Christian chiefs; and whether Sir H. Chermside has addressed a letter to the Christian chiefs in which he states that, in the event of the new arrangements not being accepted, the English troops would retire behind the walls of Candia, and that the two elements of the population would be free to occupy the positions which each judges agreeable to its interests; the Turks shall be at liberty to employ auxiliary forces?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. CURZON, Lancs.,) SouthportI answered the first Question on Monday. The extension of the cordon was not effected in spite of the protests of the Christian chiefs, but after having been fully explained to them. A misunderstanding subsequently took place, the chiefs being under the impression that the new cordon extended much beyond its actual limits. They then protested against it, whereupon Sir Herbert Chermside offered if they disapproved of the new arrangement, which had been devised in the common interest, to revert to the status quo ante. The misapprehension having been removed, the chiefs have sent a written acceptance of 1154 the new cordon, which has so far been attended with great success.
§ MR. DILLONWill the right honourable Gentleman kindly answer the last paragraph of the Question? Did Colonel Chermside threaten that if his proposal were not accepted he would let loose the Turkish garrison?
§ MR. CURZONI did answer that. I said the statement of Colonel Chermside was that if the Christian chiefs did not approve the new arrangement, the status quo ante which had been in existence for a year would be reverted to.