§ 16. Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLasked whether the recognition of the provisional government of M. Venizelos in those portions of the Greek dominion in which it is the Government de facto involves likewise the recognition of the belligerent rights of that provisional government with the consequences arising out of that recognition; and, if not, why is not the precedent of 1825 followed, in which, under precisely similar circumstances, the Government of Great Britain acknowledge the belligerent rights of a provisional government of Greece with de facto authority in revolt against the Sultan of Turkey, then the dejure ruler of Greece?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord Robert Cecil)The Allied Governments will of course recognise the belligerent rights of those Greek volunteers who attach themselves to the allied forces at Salonika. With regard to the other points raised in the question I may point out that M. Venizelos is not in revolt against the King, so that the precedent referred to does not apply.
§ Mr. LYNCHHow can the Noble Lord justify the assertion that M. Venizelos is not in revolt against the King when he is raising armed troops which defy his authority?
§ Lord R. CECILWe have M. Venizelos's own account of it.