HC Deb 02 July 1914 vol 64 cc519-21
3. Mr. KING

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that the United States Govern- ment has denounced the Treaty with Russia of 1832 regulating the right of the citizens of each country to enter the territory of the other on the ground that Russia's refusal to admit Jewish citizens into Russian territory is contrary to this Treaty; and whether he has considered the right claimed by Russia under the Treaty of 12th January, 1859, to refuse admittance to Jewish citizens of Great Britain?

Sir E. GREY

The answer to the first part of the hon. Member's question is in the affirmative. With regard to the interpretation of the Anglo-Russian Treaty of Commerce of 1859, I can only refer the hon. Member to the numerous answers which I have already given to questions in Parliament on this subject, as for instance on the 17th October, 1912, and the 7th January, 1913. The matter has been most fully considered on more than one occasion by the Law Officers of the Crown and it has been decided that unless it can be shown that British subjects of the Jewish faith are treated less favourably than those of other countries there is no right under Treaty to intervene.

Mr. KING

Has the right hon. Gentleman considered whether this difference of interpretation of the Treaty might not be laid before The Hague Tribunal so that with the consent of Russia it might be settled there?

Sir E. GREY

I do not think it is a question of the interpretation of the Treaty. Our view is that the Treaty cannot be interpreted in this particular sense, and I would point out to my hon. Friend we might denounce the Treaty of 1859. The United States have already done that, and have made no progress whatever.

Mr. KING

Is it not another course I suggest, namely, that the interpretation of this Treaty, which we consider has not been interpreted rightly by Russia, should be referred to The Hague Tribunal?

Sir E. GREY

My hon. Friend does not understand that our interpretation of the Treaty differs from the one which he wishes to place on it. You cannot go to The Hague Tribunal and ask it to place an interpretation on our Treaty which our own legal advisers say the Treaty will not bear.

Mr. KING

Is it not quite possible that the Foreign Office may be wrong?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member cannot argue the question by way of question and answer.