HC Deb 23 May 1898 vol 58 cc395-6
ADMIRAL FIELD

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can now state the result of the court-martial upon the seamen of the Russian Imperial Navy for the gross assault upon our Vice Consul at Sebastopol (C. J. Cooke, Esq.) in February last; whether any suitable apology or expression of regret has been offered Mr. Cooke for the outrage; and whether any reward has been or will be given by our Foreign Office to the Consul's servant, Victor Pauloff, for his courageous defence of the Consul when so attacked, and as some compensation for the serious injuries he, the servant, received while attempting to guard his master?

MR. CURZON

The court-martial was held on April 29th and 30th, and resulted in a verdict of "Guilty" against the prisoners, who were sentenced to 10 years in the mines of Siberia. On May 18th the Russian Government, in a Note to the British Ambassador, expressed their regret at the deplorable incident of the assault. We hare received no infor- mation or recommendation as to the conduct of the Consul's servant.

ADMIRAL FIELD

Will the right honourable Gentleman ask for a Report on the conduct of the servant?

MR. CURZON

If it in desirable that anything should be done on behalf of the servant the Vice Consul would certainly report the matter first.