HC Deb 13 May 1897 vol 49 cc380-1
MR. DILLON

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether it is proposed to continue the blockade of Crete now that the Greek troops have been withdrawn?

*MR. CURZON

Although Colonel Vassos and some other officers have left Crete, the Greek troops have not yet been withdrawn. Arrangements are, however, being made for the removal of a first batch of 400. The question of the continuance of the blockade is under examination by the Admirals; and there can be no doubt that, as soon as it is found to be unnecessary, they will at once suggest that it should be raised.

MR. DILLON

Are we to understand, then, that the question of raising the blockade is to be left to the Admirals?

*MR. CURZON

No, Sir, the hon. Member is to understand nothing of the kind. The question will of course rest for decision with the Governments, but they cannot act until they have received the views of the Admirals.

MR. DILLON

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Cretan refugees from Candia and Canea who are now in Greece are free to return to their homes; and whether, if they do so, the forces of the Powers now in occupation of those towns will guarantee their safety?

*MR. CURZON

The Cretan refugees from Candia and Canea have always been free to return to the Island, and there would probably be no objection to the return to Canea of those who have homes in that town; but so long as the Mussulmans who have been driven by the Insurgents from their homes in the interior are kept penned up in Candia by the Insurgent forces, they are likely to oppose even by force the return of the Christians to the houses in the town abandoned by them, and since occupied by Mussulman refugees. The forces of the Powers now in occupation are not sufficiently numerous to guarantee the prevention of bloodshed in such an eventuality. It will be necessary to allow time for some arrangement to be made for the return of the Mussulmans in Candia to their homes before the Christians who have left that town can with safety come back.

MR. DILLON

Do I understand that the refugees from Canea can return with the assurance that their lives will be safe?

*MR. CURZON

Of course it is not for me to give any assurance of that kind. The information, however, which we have received from the Admirals and Consuls leads us to think that the return can be safely carried out.