§ SIR ROBERT REID (Dumfries Burghs)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether the Government intend to take steps to prevent a repetition in Crete of the massacres recently perpetrated in Armenia?
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR (Liverpool, Scotland)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if any representations have been made to the Turkish Government urging them to carry out the long-promised reforms in the position of Christian inhabitants of Crete?
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. GEORGE CURZON,) Lancashire, SouthportAs long ago as December last Her Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople was instructed to call the attention of the Turkish Government to the state of affairs in Crete, which gave cause for grave apprehension, and to impress upon them the danger of serious trouble unless some remedial measures were soon adopted. These friendly representations have since been more than once renewed, Her Majesty's Chargé d' Affaires having pointed out, in view of the critical situation in the island, that the first necessity was the restoration of public security, and that remedial measures should accompany any steps taken for that purpose. More recently Her Majesty's Consul in Crete has been authorised, in conjunction with his colleagues, to enter into negotiations with the Turkish authorities and with the local leaders, in order to prevent the occurrence of excesses and to facilitate a pacific settlement of the question. The Turkish Government were acquainted with this proposal, and the Vali of Crete has received instructions from the Grand Vizier to put himself in communication with the Consuls. Two of Her Majesty's ships have been dispatched to Crete.
§ SIR R. REIDasked whether it was in contemplation to take any steps beyond continued representations, which hitherto had been valueless?
§ * MR. CURZONsaid he had in his answer stated the further measures which had been taken to enter into negotiations with the Turkish authorities and the insurgents. Those steps were being prosecuted at the present moment.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked whether the attention of the hon. Gentleman had been called to a remarkable telegram in The Times to-day stating that the same Turkish troops which were employed at Zeitun are arriving in Crete, and that these and other troops are going about exhibiting and selling plunder?
§ * MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! There must be notice of that Question.
§ MR. C. J. MONK (Gloucester)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government is prepared to 611 lay upon the Table of the House any Dispatches or Consular Reports relating to the insurrection in Crete?
§ * MR. CURZONA number of Reports have been received from Her Majesty's Consul relating to the state of affairs in Crete; but it would hardly be desirable to make them public at the present juncture, when Her Majesty's Government are endeavouring, in concert with the other Powers, to bring about the restoration of order in the island.