§ 4. Mr. KINGasked whether the general Treaty of Paris and the Convention respecting the Dardanelles, signed on 30th March, 1856, by which Russian warships are prevented from passing through the Dardanelles, are still in force; and whether any negotiations have lately taken place with the view of giving Russia the right to bring warships to and fro between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean?
§ Sir E. GREYThe Treaty of Paris, subject to such modifications as arise from the Treaty of London of 1871, and the Treaty of Berlin of 1878, and the Convention of March 30th, 1856, which relates to the warships of all nations, are in force. The question of the conditions in which the Straits might be opened to ships of war has sometimes been discussed with his 184 Majesty's Government, but it has not been discussed or been a subject of negotiation, with Russia during the last five years. It is, of course, a matter on which Turkey and all the Powers parties to treaties concerning the Straits would be consulted before any new agreement was come to.