HC Deb 10 June 1913 vol 53 cc1403-5
2. Mr. MORRELL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now give any further information as to the case of Mr. Adamovitz; whether he is still in Egypt; if so, where he is imprisoned; and what is the charge against him?

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

I cannot give any more information than I have already given; we cannot interfere between foreign Consuls and their own nationals in Egypt.

Mr. MORRELL

Cannot my right hon. Friend tell me whether this man is still in Egypt or whether he has yet been deported?

Sir E. GREY

I cannot say, Sir, at the moment.

Mr. MORRELL

Can my right hon. Friend use his influence to see that the man is not deported from Egypt until this ease has been fully inquired into?

Sir E. GREY

No, Sir. I am clear that we cannot extend our responsibliities to the extent of interfering between foreign Consuls and their own nationals.

3. Mr. MORRELL

asked whether the Capitulation under which the Russian Consul claims the right to arrest and deport Mr. Adamovitz, without reference to the Government of Egypt, is the Capitulation granted by the Turkish Government to Russia in 1783; whether this Capitulation contains any express provisions for the extradition of Russian subjects from Turkish territory; and whether there is any precedent for the use of the Capitulation for such a purpose?

Sir E. GREY

Article LXXII. of the Convention of 1783 runs as follows:ߞ"If Russian subjects commit among themselves a murder or any other offence, the examination of the case shall be the province of the Russian Minister or Consul who will judge the case according to their laws and customs, and no Ottoman authority may intervene in any manner."

It is, however, to be observed that any privilege which any one Power has under Capitulation is equally enjoyed by all. I may add that the question of extradition does not arise in such a case as the present. When the offender is under his own Consul, he is already within the jurisdiction of his own country, and the Egyptian Government has no locus standi in the matter. The Consul can try him in the Consular Court or remove him to his own country as he chooses. There are, of course, precedents for the exercise by the Powers of rights under the Capitulations which are a matter of treaty and practice.

Mr. MORRELL

Is there any express precedent for the deporting of a man to his own country, as is the case here?

Sir E. GREY

I think there are precedents, but I cannot quote one.

Mr. O'GRADY

Does the Capitulation mention the word "deportation" at all?

Sir E. GREY

What the Article I have quoted says is this: the Russian Minister or Consul will judge the case according to their laws and customs, and no Ottoman authority may intervene in any manner. What I have been asked to do is to intervene.

Mr. MORRELL

Is my right hon. Friend aware that he stated, "in cases of murder and other charges." Has any charge been made against this man?

Sir E. GREY

It says, "murder or any other offence." No terms could be wider.

Mr. MORRELL

Will my right hon. Friend say what is the offence charged against this man?

Sir E. GREY

No, Sir; because it is not a matter in which I am going to undertake any responsibility.