HC Deb 05 August 1913 vol 56 cc1245-6
10. Mr. NOEL BUXTON

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the statements in the Consular Report to three of the Embassies of Great Powers at Constantinople and the Report of the assistant bishop to tie Metropolitan of Rodosto, that the destruction of the town of Malgara and the massacre of the Greek population of that place was due to the Turkish Army and especially to the 27th Regiment of the Aleppo Division, and that the signal for pillaging and massacre in each village was given by the commanding officers; and what Report has been received from His Majesty's Consular staff upon this incident?

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

The Report in question has not yet reached me.

11. Mr. NOEL BUXTON

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to the statement of Sir Edwin Pears, the leader of the Consular bar at Constantinople, that when the decision was taken, to reoccupy Thrace, Moslem refugees were hastily transferred from Asia Minor and let loose upon the country, that the worst atrocities occurred, that part of the plan was to compel the villagers to sign a report ascribing the atrocities to the Bulgarians and expressing thanks to the Turks for their paternal protection, and that at Haskeni, near Kanopolis, all the women of the village were gathered in a large threshing floor, where the soldiers were let loose upon them; and whether any representations on the subject of recent outrages in Thrace have been made by His Majesty's Ambassador to the Sublime Porte?

Sir E. GREY

I have not seen the statement referred to, but I have heard that excesses have been committed by returning refugees, and that attempts have been made by the authorities to obtain false evidence from the Christians, His Majesty's Chargé d'Affaires has spoken to the Grand Vizier on the subject. I must, as usual, point out that charges of similar excesses have been made against other nationalities, and that we have spoken in. the same way to their Governments.

Mr. MORRELL

Was the Report re-received from His Majesty's Consul at Rodosto himself?

Sir E. GREY

Perhaps the hon. Member will give me notice.