HC Deb 29 April 1897 vol 48 cc1241-2
MR. MORTON

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the assertions now being publicly made that the German Government has been supplying the Turks with munitions of war since the declaration of war by Turkey against Greece; whether he is able to state if these assertions are true; and, if so, whether such conduct is in conformity with the rules of International Law recognised by all States that claim to be civilized; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will protest to the German Government against the continuance of this conduct?

MR CURZON

No such information has reached Her Majesty's Government, and they do not attach any credence to the report.

MR. J. W. CROMBIE (Kincardineshire)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether it is the fact that German Officers are at present serving in the Turkish Army, and whether it would be equally competent for English Officers to serve in the Greek Army?

* MR. BRODRICK

The Secretary of State has no information as to foreign officers serving in either the Turkish or Greek Army; but under the Foreign Enlistment Act every subject of the Queen is prohibited from taking service in the military or naval forces of a State at war with another State with which this country is at peace, unless he have Her Majesty's licence to do so.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES (Lynn Regis)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware under those circumstances that the Government is prepared and is about to take action against those persons who, a announced in the public papers, are enlisting in the service of the Greeks?

* MR. BRODRICK

So far as I know, the Government have no official knowledge of any persons having so enlisted.

MR. GIBSON BOWLES

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiry?

* MR. BRODRICK

That Question should be addressed to the Foreign Office.

MR. D. H. COGHILL (Stoke-upon-Trent)

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman had received any applications for active service with the Greek forces from the 100 Members of the House who had signed the memorial to the King of Greece. [Ironical Ministerial cheers and laughter.]

[No answer was given.]

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