1. Sir MARK SYKESasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been drawn to the report of Father Gustave Michel, superior of the French Catholic Mission at Kilkis, describing atrocities perpetrated by Bulgarian bands, under the protection of the Bulgarian Government, at Kilkis, Kurkut, Ravnovo, and Planitza; and whether he will instruct His Majesty's Consul-General at Salonica to inquire into the accuracy of these statements?
§ 4. Mr. WALTER GUINNESSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any official information as to the burning alive by Bulgarian comitadjis of 700 men at Kurkut, and the massacre of hundreds of men and women at Planitza, Kilkis, and Ravnovo; whether his attention has ben directed to the alleged statement of the French Consul at Salonica that nothing could be done in the matter as the Bulgarian Government had organised and were protecting the bands of comitadjis; and whether he will take steps to ensure protection for the lives, religious freedom, liberty, and property of all racial and religious minorities in the future settlement of Balkan territories?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Acland)I have not got official information on the points raised, but I have received circumstantial accounts from the Greek Government of a very distressing nature of atrocities perpetrated by the Bulgarian Army. Similar communications have, I understand, been made to the other Powers. There have been charges and countercharges of misdoings made ever since war began last year. I have hitherto taken action only in cases of alleged ill-treat- 855 ment of Mussulmans, as it is natural that, when Turkey has evacuated territory in which there is a Mussulman minority, a neutral Power with Mussulman subjects should take some interest on their behalf. I cannot undertake the task of investigating all the charges that are made of ill-treatment by one Balkan State of another, while war is proceeding between them. I cannot do more at present than express our sense of deep regret, and the painful impression produced by the accounts which have reached us.
Sir GILBERT PARKERHas any official communication been received from the Bulgarian Government suggesting an international conference and inquiry, as suggested in the public Press?
§ Mr. ACLANDNot that I know.
§ 5. Mr. WALTER GUINNESSasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, whether he has received any information as to the alleged murder of 1,500 Greeks in the Nigrita district last week by the Bulgarian troops?
§ Mr. ACLANDI have received a communication to that effect from the Greek Minister here, and a similar communication has been given to His Majesty's Minister at Athens by the Greek Minister for Foreign Affairs.