§ 46. Sir E. CORNWALLasked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the failure of the Turkish Government to reply to the British Note of the 6th July regarding the treatment and condition of British prisoners, the Government proposes to warn the leaders of the Young Turkish party that they will be held personally responsible for any untoward results which may happen to the British officers and men in their hands?
§ Lord R. CECILThe Porte were warned in July, 1915, that all Turkish Ministers and officials would be held personally responsible for damage and loss of whatever kind suffered by individual British subjects detained in Turkey. We are renewing this warning with special reference to our combatant prisoners. I must, however, point out that in time of war it is futile to expect words to be effective, and that the defeats which the Turks are now suffering are much more likely to be effective than any threats used by the Foreign Office.