THE MARQUESS OF SALISBUEYAs I do not see the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in his place, I wish to ask the noble Earl the Colonial Secretary whether he is able to give any information as to the progress of the communications with the Court of St. Petersburg, in respect of which there are many rumours abroad? Any information which the noble Earl can give will be very gratefully received by the House.
§ THE EARL OF DERBYMy noble Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs will be in his place at the usual time; but, meanwhile, I am not in a position to give the information for which the noble Marquess asks. The progress of the negotiations, so far as I am aware, is only known to those responsible for the Department.
§ Afterwards,
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYsaid: May I ask the noble Earl the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, who is now present, whether he is able to give us any information with respect to the condition of communications between this Court and that of St. Petersburg, as there are many rumours about, and great anxiety is felt, on the subject?
§ EARL GRANVILLEWe have not yet received the official reply from the Russian Government, nor have we received from Sir Peter Lumsden his reply to the queries we have addressed to him on the statement of fact and the statement made by the Russian General. Sir Edward Thornton, our Ambassador at St. Petersburg, informs me that it is not likely that the Russian Government will receive for a few days any answer to the questions which have been put to their General. Naturally, in these critical times, I have had frequent communications with the Russian Ambassador; but no official communications have passed between us except as to matters of fact.
§ EARL STANHOPEWould the noble Earl inform the House when the reply of Sir Peter Lumsden is likely to arrive?
§ EARL GRANVILLEI am afraid I cannot fix a date. We have telegraphed, and I am sure he will reply as early as he can.
LORD ELLENBOROUGHMay I ask whether the Government have ascertained the fact that it only requires one day from Penjdeh to Mery, and from thence there is a telegraph direct to St. Petersburg? It is stated in the best mediums of information that such is the case. Can the Government say whether it is so or not?
§ EARL GRANVILLEI think it takes six or seven days. The last telegram, I am informed, was dated on the 6th or 7th.
THE EARL OF JERSEYI presume it is incorrect that Her Majesty's Government, as stated in the newspapers, have agreed to give up Penjdeh to Russia?
§ EARL GRANVILLEI must really decline to make a statement as to the unauthorized and nearly always inaccurate accounts of the proceedings of the Government upon those difficult questions.