§ MR. STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is able to communicate any further information with respect to the steps taken to secure the execution of the joint scheme of reforms in the Macedonian vilayets, with special reference to the provision relating to the establishment of a gendarmerie under European officers.
§ LORD CRANBORNEA fresh and earnest representation urging the sincere execution of the promised reforms has, within the last few days, been made by the Austro-Hungarian and Russian Ambassadors, and has been supported by the representatives of other Powers. The early appointment of European officers to re-organise the gendarmerie has been repeatedly urged on the Ports by His Majesty's Ambassador as of special importance. He has reported that some Swedish instructors have been engaged, but nothing further of a definite character has reached us.