THE EARL OF KIMBERLEYI wish to ask the noble Marquess a question of which I have given him private notice. It is whether he is able to make any statement as to the position of affairs in Crete, and whether he can lay on the Table Papers respecting the arrangements entered into by the Powers last summer for the better administration of that island?
*THE PRIME MINISTER (The MARQUESS of SALISBURY)I will answer the latter part of the Question first by saying that a considerable mass of Papers are ready to be laid before Parliament, and that they have been delayed because it was thought necessary to submit them to the various Consuls who have to revise them. Their work is so heavy that they have not been able to get through them so rapidly as was expected. I hope in a few days they will be in the noble Lord's hands. With regard to the state of affairs in Crete, I suppose there is not much dispute about the facts. Reforms had been arranged and were being carried into effect, when the Hellenic Government, apparently forced by opinion among their own subjects, have intervened, have sent ships and have sent troops to Cretan waters. All the Powers, without exception, were of opinion that this was a most ill-advised act, and as scon as there was any indication that it was in meditation they protested against it and expressed their opinion in very earnest language to the Greek Government. So much for the state of things as it now exists. The Powers retain their opinion of the utter unwisdom of the act that has taken place, and I think they have no disposition in any way to sanction it. Her Majesty's Government retain the attitude which they have observed of keeping in concert with the other Powers of Europe and acting together with them. Our naval officers have received instructions to take no isolated action, but to concert with the naval officers of the other Powers. 370 Evidently it is one of the consequences of acting in concert with other Powers that you cannot speak confidently in the future tense as to the course which they may intend to pursue. It is in itself more difficult to do than if you were acting independently, and, besides that, it would be obviously improper. I can only say, therefore, that the concert and sympathy of the Powers remains complete, and that we have no ground for thinking that it will be diminished, or that they have any intention of departing from the policy they have hitherto pursued. [Cheers.]