LORD STEATHEDEN AND CAMPBELLI rise to put the Question of which I have given Notice to Her Majesty's Government. It is not at all my wish to address the House at length on foreign policy, for which this would not be a proper season. It would be too long even to enumerate the journals in which the statement I refer to has been mentioned, and which comprise the best known in Great Britain and in Europe. The Standard of March 16 and of to-day might be particularly specified, as the Government are not, perhaps, inclined to disregard that organ. The alleged union of Italy with the German Powers might be fertile of results which it would become diplomatists to meditate. Among others, it would seem calculated to retard the foreign occupation of Bulgaria, from which endless inconveniences are justly apprehended. It would tend to guarantee tranquillity upon the Continent during the year which we have entered. It is, therefore, most important to the financial, the political, and military world, that an official statement should be heard upon the subject. Nothing unusual or unprecedented is required. In 1879 we were informed by the Government of that time that Austria and Germany had formed a new and, as it was thought, a satisfactory relation, although this country had not entered into it. The announcement came not only from the Government, but from the noble Marquess who now directs the Foreign Office. Supposing the alliance formed, it would be, no doubt, desirable to know what Powers were likely to accede to it, and in what manner it would bear upon the difficulties the Eastern Question has presented since the autumn of 1885. But it would not be prudent to approach the Government with too much interrogation. Whatever falls from them will be heard with curiosity in this House, and even far beyond its limits. The noble Lord then asked, Whether the repeated statement of an alliance between Italy and the German Powers was well founded?
§ THE PRIME MINISTEK AND SECEETAEY or STATE FOE FOREIGN AFFAIES (The Marquess of SALISBURY)I suppose my noble Friend, when he 38 asks, "Whether the repeated statement of an alliance between Italy and the German Powers is well founded," means to ask, whether any Treaty has been signed between Italy and the German Powers? An alliance is so vague and general a phrase that I do not feel that it would be possible, under any circumstances, to give any answer. However, even if I could persuade my noble Friend to put his Question in a more accurate form, it would not be possible for me to gratify his wish, for I cannot give information which I do not myself possess. I am wholly unaware whether any Treaty has been signed between Italy and the German Powers. We have received no information upon the subject, and I do not know whether any information can be obtained.