§ 8. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has official information that the representative of M. Venizelos accredited to the Russian Provisional Government, on presenting his credentials to the Russian Foreign Secretary, was assured by M. Miliukof that he desired the definite triumph of the national movement in Greece; and, in view of this declaration by the Government of one of the Powers guaranteeing constitutional government in Greece, what obstacle now remains to the carrying out of our treaty obligations by the enforcement of constitutional government in Greece in concert with Russia and France?
§ Lord R. CECILThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the second part does not, therefore, arise.
§ 9. Mr. McNEILLasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether German officers continue to frequent the Royal Palace at Athens, and are received by General Dousmanis and by members of the general staff; whether German agents continue active throughout Thessaly; 2365 whether irregular bands of Greeks in the neutral zone, organised and led by officers of the Greek Regular Army, have had numerous engagements with French troops; whether M. Lambros has been informed by the head of the Allied military control in Athens of the proved intrigues of Generals Dousmanis and Papoulos with the irregular bands acting against the Allied cause in Epirus, but replied that these officers were above suspicion in their duty to the King and Government; whether 2,500 Greek soldiers have been allowed on the pretext of going on leave to return in uniform to the mainland of Greece; whether many thousands of rifles are known to be still available for arming the troops of the Royal army; and if he will say what steps are being taken to put an end to the regime of treachery and intrigue prevailing in Athens?
§ Lord R. CECILIn the view of His Majesty's Government, action in Greece must be chiefly, if not solely, determined by the War interests of the Allies as a whole, and cannot therefore be adequately or fully discussed in public. An opportunity for discussing them will arise in the Secret Session. I will only now say that I cannot accept all the statements made in the question.