HC Deb 10 April 1913 vol 51 cc1327-8
1. Sir J. D. REES

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has information to the effect that Mahomedans who, relying on promises of protection for their persons and property and freedom for the exercise of their religion, have returned to their homes in Macedonia have suffered ill-treatment and death, violation of their women, forcible conversion to Christianity, and other outrages; and whether representations will be made to the Allies on behalf of these ex-Turkish subjects?

2. Mr. WALTER GUINNESS

asked whether the right hon. Gentleman's attention has been called to the complaints of those Moslem inhabitants of Eastern Macedonia who, relying on Bulgarian assurances, returned to their villages, are being subjected to persecution by Bulgarian Comitadjs, who are alleged to violate young girls and murder those who refused to adopt the Christian religion; and whether he will take steps to induce the Bulgarian Government to enforce guarantees for the protection of minorities throughout the conquered territories?

The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir Edward Grey)

All that I can do is to bring any reports that reach me before the Bulgarian Government, in order that steps may be taken to prevent abuses and to punish the authors of them. This has been done, and will be done by His Majesty's Government as readily in the case of Moslems as of Christians.

Sir J. D. REES

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the impression prevails that Great Britain sympathises with the Allies and not with their victims, and that has produced a very unfortunae effect in India?

Sir E. GREY

It is very undesirable there should be an impression that we are less ready to take up cases of abuse of which Moslems are the victims than of Christians. It is a question not of creed but of humanity. I have expressly said we have been as ready in the ease of Moslems as of Christians.

Mr. W. GUINNESS

May I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman will answer the last part of my question as to guarantees—whether he is going to take the same steps to obtain guarantees in Macedonia as he has already promised to take in Albania?

Sir E. GREY

The question with regard to a limited portion of the frontier of Albania is a question of international steps to be taken. We cannot possibly take steps to establish a Protectorate over Macedonia.

Mr. W. GUINNESS

Can the right hon. Gentleman not promise guarantees for Moslem inhabitants on the same basis as in Albania whore his statement referred to guarantees for the minority?

Sir E. GREY

My statement with regard to Albania referred to a certain international agreement. There is no international agreement with regard to Macedonia.

Mr. DAVID MASON

Can the right hon. Gentleman give the House any idea as to the truth of these statements?

Sir E. GREY

I stated repeatedly it is very difficult when a state of war is going on to be quite sure as to who is responsible for what has occurred and as to what has occurred, but in all cases which have been brought to my notice of reports which seem to have foundation I have brought them to the attention of the Governments concerned for the reasons stated in my original answer.