HC Deb 19 February 1917 vol 90 cc951-2
3. Mr. OUTHWAITE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Czecho-Slovacs referred to in the Allies' Note as being a people for whose independence they are fighting are two distinct nationalities, or, as suggested by the hyphen, are they Slovacs of Czecho origin?

Mr. BALFOUR

Czechs and Slovacs are two branches of the same race.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it would be possible to decide the territory to which independence would be granted, so that we might learn something of the people?

Mr. BALFOUR

No, Sir.

Mr. NOEL BUXTON

May I ask whether the hon. Member is not incorrect in using the word "independence," no such word having appeared in the Allied Note?

Mr. PRINGLE

Has the Foreign Office a map which shows the territory occupied by the Czecho-Slovacs?

Mr. BALFOUR

There are a certain number of maps at the Foreign Office, but whether they are all absolutely correct or not I cannot say.

Mr. KING

Are the maps of the Balkan Peninsula those that were current before the last Balkan War?

Mr. BALFOUR

No, Sir.