If I understand https://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=384593, this functionality was disabled by default on Debian-based systems for security reasons.

Philipp Stephani <p.stephani2@gmail.com> schrieb am Fr., 17. Apr. 2015 um 08:25 Uhr:
Maybe something needs to be enabled? The documentation says "These controls may be disabled using the allowWindowOps resource." I'll try it today.

Stefan Monnier <monnier@iro.umontreal.ca> schrieb am Fr., 17. Apr. 2015 um 04:40 Uhr:
Is that normal?  Do you guys see the same?  I'm using Debian's "xterm"
package version 312-2, for what it's worth.


        Stefan


>>>>> "Stefan" == Stefan Monnier <monnier@IRO.UMontreal.CA> writes:

>>> Yes, I took a look and I'll work on integrating the paste functionality.
>>> Since cut and paste are mostly independent of each other, maybe you could
>>> already integrate the cut patch?
>> I just installed it (after adding a ChangeLog, and although it still
>> lacks an etc/NEWS entry).

> BTW, I can't seem to make this feature work for me.  I do:

>    emacs -Q -nw
>    M-x trace-function RET xterm--set-selection RET
>    C-SPC M-f M-f M-f M-w
>    <go to a previously running Emacs session in GUI mode>
>    C-y

> and instead of getting the three words from *scratch*, I get whatever
> was already there before in the clipboard.  Yet, the trace buffer shows
> that xterm--set-selection was called alright (and edebugging it also
> indicates that it seems to be doing what it should).


>         Stefan