THE EARL OF ROSEBERYI wish to ask the noble Marquess (the Marquess of Salisbury) a Question of which I have given him private Notice. It is, Whether he can give us any information with regard to the ratification or non-ratification by the Sultan of the Egyptian Convention?
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (The Marquess of SALISBURY)I am afraid that at present I have little to add to that which I have already stated upon this matter; but I felt that I had no right to keep back the Correspondence any longer, and, therefore, a few days ago I gave instructions that it should be laid on the Table of the House.
THE EARL OF ROSEBERYMay I ask another Question with regard to the movements of Sir H. Drummond Wolff, in which the public take very considerable interest? We understood, rightly or wrongly, that he was under orders to leave Constantinople last Monday unless the Convention was ratified. The noble Marquess has told us that he was under orders to leave Constantinople in the course of last week. The Convention does not appear to have been ratified, nor does Sir H. Drummond Wolff appear to have left Constantinople. Can the noble Marquess give us any information on the subject?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMost undoubtedly, Sir H. Drummond Wolff's instructions were to leave Constantinople last week; but I never communicated them to the noble Earl in the nature of a pledge or promise of any 325 kind, that the Convention should be ratified by that time. On Friday I received advices which induced mo to think it would be to the public advantage that Sir H. Drummond Wolff should remain there a few days longer, and in consequence I gave him permission to do so.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI think that is rather a contingent question, and I would prefer to reserve it, like all other contingent questions, till the contingency actually arises.
THE EARL OF ROSEBERYWe foresaw last week that the Convention might not be ratified, as Sir H. Drummond Wolff's movements are closely connected with the ratification or non-ratification of the Convention. We are anxious to press the matter; and, therefore, as there is considerable anxiety felt in the present state of things, I have addressed the Question to the noble Marquess.
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYThe Queen has given full powers to Sir H. Drummond Wolff to ratify the Convention, and the Sultan had promised to ratify on a certain day; but he has not done so. I presume the noble Earl's Question to me is—"What will happen supposing the Sultan were to propose to ratify now?" Well, I think that is a contingent question, and it would be necessary for me to know the precise circumstances under which that contingency might take place before I could answer the Question of the noble Earl.
THE EARL OF ROSEBERYThen are we to understand that the British Plenipotentiary at Constantinople is in a state of suspended animation?
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYI will inquire of Sir H. Drummond Wolff.