§ 3. Mr. BUTCHERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will request the United States Ambassador in this country to furnish, if possible, through the good offices of the United States Consul-General at Constantinople, a statement of the general conditions and the diet supplied to the captains, officers, and seamen comprising the crews of the steamers "City of Khios" and "Assiout" who are interned at the Magnesie Camp, near Smyrna, Turkey?
§ Sir E. GREYThe last report on the condition of the crews of these vessels was received in February. It indicates that there was a lack of proper exercise, only a few men being allowed out each day to buy provisions. The food supplied was 2544 being diminished in quantity and was inferior in quality. For seven weeks only one leg of goat was supplied in the way of meat. The usual rations were horse beans, olive oil and flour, and sometimes olives. Very little oil for lighting or charcoal for heating in the cold weather had been supplied. On the receipt of this information a protest was addressed to the Porte on the subject of the inadequacy of the rations supplied, and the United States Consul-General at Smyrna was requested to increase the allowance to the prisoners from 8d. to 1s. a day for each man. Inquiries are being made as to the present condition of the crews.
§ Mr BUTCHERHas any answer been received to the protest we sent?
§ Sir E. GREYSo far as I am aware we have received no reply as yet.