HL Deb 13 May 1879 vol 246 cc227-9
EARL STANHOPE

My Lords, a report has appeared in the newspapers that the Sultan has given up his right to garrison the fortresses of the Balkans. That report would seem to be based on a speech alleged to have been made by the Russian General Obrutscheff at Philip-popolis. I wish to ask my noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that the Sultan has foregone his right under the Treaty of Berlin to garrison the fortresses of the Balkans?

THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURY

My Lords, my noble Friend was kind enough to give me Notice of the Question. I have brought down all the intelligence that we have with reference to the speech of General Obrutscheff. I do not believe that an entire report of the speech has reached this country; but the Consul General at Philippopolis has sent to us an extract. I will read what has been sent. It has been sent by telegraph. General Obrutscheff spoke on the occasion in question of the occupation of the Balkans. I may mention, in passing, that he is a distinguished General and an Aide-de-Camp of the Emperor, and that he was sent down, I believe, to facilitate the transfer of the government of Eastern Roumelia from the Russians to the Turks. He recently read a Proclamation at Philippopolis, and having concluded the reading of that document, delivered a speech in which occur these sentences— From conversations with Sultan and Turkish Ministers, he was firmly convinced that the only object they had in view was the happiness and prosperity of the population, who would see no more Turkish soldiers, and who had arms against lawless bands. He went on to say— Although the Sultan retains the right under the Treaty to occupy the Balkans, the Balkans will not be immediately occupied. Military considerations do not require the occupation of them; it is for the Bulgarians to prove that it is not necessary from a political point of view. Such is the information which we have from the Consul General. We have no ground for believing that the Sultan has entered into any engagement which precludes him from sending garrisons into the Balkans; but, as my noble Friend is aware, the provision in the Treaty is not, as some persons think, obligatory—it is permissive. The Sultan has a right to send garrisons into the Balkans for the purpose of defending them—of defending the Frontier. Of course, the Sultan, like any other potentate, will do that at the time most convenient to him, financially and politically. I do not understand that there is any intention of renouncing or indefinitely delaying the occupation of those garrisons; but I think it is probable that the Turkish troops will not be sent in till the Frontier is marked out and the evacuation finished. I may say, in conclusion, that it is a mistake to think that the renunciation of this right is a matter which depends on the Sultan alone. Even supposing the Sultan was so misguided—which I cannot imagine—as to wish to renounce this right, which is of considerable value for the purpose of defending his Dominions, he could not renounce it without the consent of the other Powers who were parties to the Treaty of Berlin.