HC Deb 04 February 1915 vol 69 cc118-9
8. Mr. MACMASTER

asked whether the Government of Austria-Hungary made any intimation in 1913 to His Majesty's Government that they contemplated hostile action against Serbia, and, further, did they inform His Majesty's Government that they had made a like intimation at that time to the Government of Italy, as now appears to be the fact from the Ministerial statement made in the Italian Parliament?

Sir E. GREY

The answers to both parts of the question are in the negative. We had no knowledge of this matter until the revelations made in the Italian Parliament, and the fact that hostile action against Serbia was in contemplation in 1913 shows that the assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which took place in 1914, was not the cause, though it was made the pretext, for the events that followed it.

14. Mr. RONALD M'NEILL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether his attention has been called to a recent statement by Signor Giolitti to the effect that, a year before the outbreak of the present war, the Italian Government was officially informed of Austria's intention to declare war immediately against Serbia; and on what date His Majesty's Government were first informed of this intended aggression by Austria-Hungary?

Sir E. GREY

Signor Giolitti's public statement was duly reported by His Majesty's Ambassador at Rome. I had no previous knowledge of the facts which he stated. His Majesty's Government were first informed by the Austro-Hungarian Government on 24th July last that military preparations against Serbia would be commenced, failing compliance with the ultimatum.

Sir GILBERT PARKER

Would it be possible to have Signor Giolitti's speech circulated for the benefit of the House?

Sir E. GREY

Yes, Sir, certainly. I think the speech did appear in the Press, but, if it is desired, I will certainly have it included in one of the Parliamentary Papers.

Mr. RONALD M'NEILL

Is it not rather unusual that such a very important matter of this kind should have escaped the attention of the British Ambassador in Rome at the time?

Sir E. GREY

The British Ambassador would not have any knowledge of it at the time in 1913. It was, as I understand, a confidential statement passing between the Austrian and the Italian Governments. We had no means of knowing anything about it until it was made public by Signor Giolitti, who was in office at the time.