§ MR. STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is now able to give further information with respect to the question of the instructions given by the Porte to close certain orphanages founded and supported by British and American contributions for the benefit of Armenians; the delay in the payment of compensation due to British merchants at Constantinople in connection with the massacre of August 1896; and the willingness of the British Government to use its good offices with the Government of H.I.M. the Tsar for the purpose of securing a mitigation of the edict of May 1898, enforcing within twelve months the repatriation of Armenians who have taken refuge in Trans-Caucasia, and have not become naturalised Russian subjects?
§ MR. BRODRICKA dispatch has now been received from Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople, reporting that, as the result of his repeated representations to the Porte, orders have been sent to the local authorities to allow the orphanages at Palu, Chiukush, and Diarbekir to be reopened. It appears that the orphanage at Zeitun has not, as reported, been closed. Assurances have been given that the other orphanages will not be interfered with. Sir N. O'Conor has received valuable support from the United States Minister. As regards British claims in connection with the massacres in 1896, at Constantinople, I regret that I am not yet in a position to add anything to my answer of March 17th with regard to the efforts of Her Majesty's Ambassador to obtain a settlement. As regards the expulsion of Armenian refugees from Russia, we understand that steps to secure their forced repa- 782 triation have been temporarily suspended, and that the Russian and Turkish Governments are in communication, with a view of securing the safety and protection of the refugees on their return.