HC Deb 21 May 1910 vol 116 cc367-8
31. Sir B. FALLE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can say if the Serbs have any right to occupy Gusinje; if they have occupied Vermoshi, the summer grazing ground of the Albanian tribes; and what will be the result of such occupation?

The UNDER-SECRETARY Of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Cecil Harmsworth)

The first part of the question is a matter for the Paris Conference. The latest information in my possession is that the Montenegrins arc in occupation of Vermoshi. I am not, in present circumstances, in a position to foretell what will be the results of such occupation.

32. Major Sir B. FALLE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the inhabitants of Gusinje appealed to us for protection in January last; if since that date the Serbs have expelled part of the population and are I reported to have killed the rest; if a i British officer sent to Gusinje to report I was arrested by the Serbs and treated with ignominy; and what have become of his native interpreter and guides and horse boys?

Mr. C. HARMSWORTH

The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the second part, His Majesty's Government have no recent information. As to the third, a British officer went on his own account to Gusinje to investigate the situation, and, the Serbian authorities being, unfortunately, without information as to the nature of his mission, he was arrested. The arrest was admittedly due to a misunderstanding, and as soon as this was cleared up the arrest was cancelled Similiarly, on representations from the British Legation, the release of the interpreter was ordered.

Sir B. FALLE

Does that include the guides and horse-boys?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I am sorry that I have no specific information about that.

Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

Can the Government take no steps at all to safeguard the Albanians from ill-treatment on the part of the Serbians?

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Is it not the duty of the British Government to protect the Moslems in Albania against ill-treatment of this sort, in view of the fact that the British Government is the greatest Moslem Power in the world?