HC Deb 07 May 1914 vol 62 c418
5. Mr. AUBREY HERBERT

asked what steps His Majesty's Government intend to take regarding the recent memorandum addressed to the Ambassadors of the Great Powers by the Porte dealing with the ill-treatment of Moslems in the ceded territories of Thrace, notably in the territory of Karadjova; and if 163,000 Moslems have been compelled to leave their ancient homes through this ill-treatment since November, 1912, and that mosques and cemeteries are being profaned and burned?

Sir E. GREY

No such memorandum has, as yet, reached His Majesty's Government. Large numbers of Moslems have left the ceded territories during the past year, but I have no official information as to the outrages referred to by the hon. Member.

7. Mr. AUBREY HERBERT

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, in spite of the decisions of the London Conference and the Frontier Commission, the Koritza district is being attacked by Greek forces with cannon and that the Albanian gendarmerie has been obliged to withdraw, and that in the Kolonia district many villages have been burned and women and children killed; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Sir E. GREY

I have received reports to the effect referred to, but the information which reaches His Majesty's Government from different sources is very contradictory, and they are not in a position to check its accuracy. According to the statement of the Greek Government all their troops have been withdrawn, and are now within the new frontier. The International Commission of Control, at the invitation of the Albanian Government, are endeavouring to secure a settlement of the disorder.