§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government have had any diplomatic relations with the new Servian Government; and whether His Majesty's Government intend to recognise in any way the men or the representatives of the men guilty of the recent murders.
MR. GIBSON BOWLESI beg also to ask the First Lord of the Treasury, can he now state what attitude His Majesty's Government propose to adopt towards the persons now assuming to act as the Government of Servia; and whether any communications are proceeding with Foreign Powers with a view to common or concerted action.
§ THE PRIME MINISTER AND FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.As I stated on Monday, ‡ diplomatic relations between this country and Servia came to an end with the death of King Alexander and have not been renewed. His Majesty's
†See (4) Debates, cxxiii, 17.‡See page 946.1172 Government have considered whether they should mark their reprobation of the crime which has disgraced the Servian capital by withdrawing His Majesty's representative at Belgrade. It has, however, been thought that, for the present, Sir G. Bonham should remain at his post, in order that he may watch and report upon events and that he may take whatever steps are necessary to protect British interests. He will not be accredited to the new Government nor will any steps be taken to accord official recognition to it until we are in possession of fuller information as to the circumstances under which it has come into power. We understand that the Powers in regard to whose attitude His Majesty's Government have received information are instructing their representatives to accept the provisional Government as the de facto authority with which current business is to be transacted.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDIs it the intention of His Majesty's Government to demand from the new Servian Government the punishment of these murderers; and, in view of what has happened, will the Government remove the regicide's statue from this House?
§ MR. MALCOLM (Suffolk, Stowmarket)If the British Minister in Servia is not accredited what will his position be?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThat question relates to one of the technical subtleties of diplomatic usage, and should be addressed after notice to the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs.