HC Deb 17 November 1919 vol 121 cc600-1
33. Mr. ALFRED SHORT

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a Return giving the information in his possession with regard to pogroms of Jews in territories formerly composing the Russian Empire, giving separate particulars with regard to Poland and the parts now occupied by General Denikin, together with some estimate of the total number of Jews who have been killed in these territories?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

As regards Poland, I should prefer to postpone making any statement as to the manner in which Jews have been treated until the return of Sir Stuart Samuel, who is at present making a thorough inquiry into this question in Poland on be-half of His Majesty's Government. The Foreign Office are not in a position to give either an estimate or a Return of the total number of Jews killed in other parts of the former Russian Empire, and in the present condition of those territorities such a Return could not be produced without a prolonged investigation made on the spot by a special Commission of Inquiry.

Lieut. - Commander KENWORTHY

May we understand that the British representatives with General Denikin's Army are watching the situation very carefully with regard to the Jews and are taking all possible steps to use their influence to prevent any excesses?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Yes, I can confidently say that is so.

Brigadier-General CROFT

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that General Denikin has made it a court-martial offence to commit any sort of persecution against the Jews in the territories which he has occupied?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I am prepared to believe it, but I have no information.

Mr. BILLING

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Jewish synagogue is the only form of religious building which the Bolshevists have spared?