§ Mr. GEORGE GOOCHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now say whether a conference dealing with affairs in South-Eastern Europe is likely to be held; and whether he can make any statement on the present situation?
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Secretary of State whether he is now in a position to communicate to the House the result of the negotiations in which His Majesty's Government have taken part in connection with the recent infractions of the Berlin Treaty; can he state whether the settlements arrived at piecemeal between the States immediately affected by these infractions are conditional upon their adoption by the signatory Powers in conference assembled, or have they already been adopted by the Powers; and is it proposed that a conference shall take place; and, if so, what will be its scope and functions?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)In reply to this question and that of the hon. Member for Ripon, I cannot yet say whether a conference will take place or not. The alterations of the Treaty of Berlin referred to have in the first place formed the subject of negotiations between the Powers whose legal rights were directly affected. The settlements arrived at, in so far as they involve alterations of the Treaty of Berlin, will require to receive the assent of the signatory Powers, and, owing to the various agreements which have been made, will, I trust, soon do so.
§ Mr. REESMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether there is any peculiar interest attaching to Great Britain in this respect, such as is not possessed by any other signatory Power?
§ Sir E. GREYWe have been acting as one of the signatory Powers to the Treaty of Berlin.