§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether in the autumn of 1910 the British Consul at Uskub submitted to the Ambassador at Constantinople a report on the subject of the cruelty with which the disarmament of the Christians was carried out by the Turkish Government; whether similar reports were furnished by other Consuls; and whether he would lay these reports before the House?
§ Sir E. GREYI have received no such report from Uskub, but reports of the 2503 nature indicated were received from other places. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by laying reports at the present time.
§ Mr. H. LAWDoes the right hon. Gentleman not think that it is a very long time since we have had any papers regarding European Turkey, and is it not really time the House should get some information on the subject?
§ Sir E. GREYI know it is a long time since reports have been published, but I cannot say that under present circumstances the publication of reports would have any good effect.
§ Mr. HUGH LAWasked whether the right hon. Gentleman has official information showing that on the 27th September the village of Yénidge-Vardan was surrounded by soldiers and an order given to the inhabitants to deliver up their arms; that for four days no persons were allowed to leave their houses even to obtain food or water; that between 200 and 300 persons were arrested and imprisoned and beaten on the feet; and that the chief Bulgarian priest was so cruelly beaten that his arms were broken and that he had to be carried to the Governor's office upon a mattress, and subsequently died of the effects; and whether he will have the reports of British Consuls on these and other outrages in the villages of the same case published and laid upon the Table of the House?
§ Sir E. GREYI have no information on the subject. I will ask for a report and consider it, but no useful purpose would be served by laying papers at present.