HL Deb 16 February 1882 vol 266 cc764-6
VISCOUNT BARRINGTON

said, their Lordships would have observed with great regret from the narrative in the newspapers this morning that a very serious occurrence had taken place at Artaki, on the southern shore of the Sea of Marmora. Captain Selby, of the Falcon, and Captain Grenfell, of the Cockatrice, were out on a shooting excursion, when an altercation ensued with an Albanian shepherd, who objected to their proceeding. A kind of scuffle took place, a shot was fired, and Captain Selby was struck on the head with an axe. On their way back to their ships the party were attacked by a number of Albanians, and, had it not been for the appearance of Consul Wrench, more lamentable consequences might have followed. While giving full credit to Consul Wrench, he (Viscount Barring-ton) thought it was greatly to be regretted that any English subjects, whether they were officers in the Service of Her Majesty or not, should go upon sporting excursions in those territories without taking with them an interpreter, or having someone with them who could speak the language of the people. It was quite clear that, had it not been for Consul Wrench's acquaintance with the Turkish language, the party might not have returned to their ships. He wished to ask the noble Earl whether he had any further information with reference to these very lamentable circumstances?

EARL GRANVILLE

The best answer which I can give to the noble Viscount is to read to your Lordships the telegrams which have been received with regard to this most deplorable incident. The following is the telegram which I received from Lord Dufferin. It is dated the 14th of February, 1882, 9.15 P.M.— I am sorry to say that Captain Selby, of Her Majesty's ship Falcon, while out shooting yesterday near Artaki, on the south coast of the Sea of Marmora, in company with Captain Grenfell, of the Cockatrice, was attacked by Albanian shepherds without having given them the slightest provocation. Selby has been very dangerously wounded on the head with an axe, the blow having fractured his skull. When endeavouring to take the wounded officer to the boats the party was set upon by the villagers; their guns were taken from them, and their hands were bound, until Mr. Consul Wrench, who had gone to shoot in a different direction, returned and induced the villagers to release them. The Falcon has returned here. Selby lies in a very dangerous state. The Admiral at Malta, the Admiralty, and Captain Selby's mother have been telegraphed to by Captain Grenfell. I am in the act of bringing this sad affair to the notice of the Sultan and of the Prime Minister, and will leave nothing undone to secure the punishment of the perpetrators of the crime. The man who first attacked Captain Selby and Captain Grenfell might have been easily shot; but Selby laid down his gun in order that he might not be provoked into firing at him. After he had been felled one of the sailors seized Captain Selby's gun and fired it at the assassin, and Captain Grenfell then fired at his assailant; but as the guns were only loaded with snipe-shot neither of the men were seriously hurt. I should be glad to know if your Lordship has any special instructions to send me in reference to this case. The only instruction in our power to send was to state our full confidence in Lord Dufferin to do what is necessary to bring the criminals to justice. The second telegram is dated the 15th February, and is as follows:— Telegram from Lord Dufferin, February 15, 1882, delivered at 12.45 P.M., received 1 P.M. Enclair.—Captain Selby has slept tranquilly for six hours, and has taken some food. There is to be a consultation of doctors this afternoon. He is conscious, but has an imperfect command of the words he wishes to use. I have absolutely no further information except that read to your Lordships; and with regard to what was stated by the noble Viscount, that there was some imprudence in shooting without an interpreter, it appears that the party were accompanied by Consul Wrench, who was perfectly capable of making himself understood by the Albanians, though he was at the moment shooting in a different direction.