Mr. SILVESTER HORNEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the declaration of neutrality precludes this country from taking the initiative, under Article III. of The Hague Convention, with a view to bringing to an end the war in Tripoli, and, if not, whether he is prepared to take such initiative at the earliest possible moment?
§ Mr. ACLANDI assume the hon. Member to be referring to Article III. of the Convention for the Pacific Settlement of International Disputes, signed at the last Peace Conference at The Hague, but which has not yet been ratified by this country. His Majesty's Government would not deem themselves precluded by the recent Proclamation of Neutrality from offering their good offices or mediation, if any favourable result was likely to be brought about by their doing so. They have been, and are always, anxious to take advantage, in conjunction with the other Powers, of any opportunity which may present itself for offering their good offices or mediation to the States at variance. But the views of the belligerents on the matter in dispute are so divergent that no basis exists on which a neutral Power could, at present, offer mediation that would not be refused or even resented by one or other of the belligerents.
§ Mr. DAVID MASONHave the Government definitely offered their good offices?
§ Mr. ACLANDThat hardly arises. I have given a very full and considered answer. The hon. Member, I think, ought to put any further question on the Paper.
§ Mr. WATTasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether two of the war correspondents that were accompanying the army under General Caneva in Tripoli have handed back their passes to that general and have refused to accompany the army further; and whether he can tell the House the reason for this refusal?
§ Mr. ACLANDI have no information on this subject.
Captain FABERasked whether Lieutenant Harold Montagu, of the 5th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, now serving in the Turkish Army in Tripoli, is an officer of His Majesty's Army; whether an officer in His Majesty's service is permitted to transmit telegrams to the Press; and whether an officer is allowed to express by telegrams his opinion concerning nations with whom we are at peace?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)There is no information at the War Office to show whether the statement that this officer is serving in the Turkish Army is accurate, but steps are being taken to verify it and to recall him at once if it is confirmed. Under paragraph 453, King's Regulations, an officer is forbidden to publish or communicate information to the Press without special authority, and no such authority was asked for by, or given to, this officer.
§ Colonel SEELYThere is an officer of that name in the Special Reserve of His Majesty's Army, but we do not know whether such officer is in the place indicated in the question.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTI beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs a question of which I have given him private notice: Whether he has received any information as to the shooting of a Maltese by the Italians in Tripoli on the 26th of October; and, if not, whether he will cause immediate inquiries to be made.
§ Mr. ACLANDI have no information on this subject, but am inquiring by telegraph whether there is any truth in the report to which the hon. Member refers. His Majesty's Consul-General has been instructed to furnish regular reports as to occurrences in Tripoli.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTHas there been any reply to the Government's inquiries as to the alleged atrocities?
§ Mr. ACLANDNo, Sir; not yet.