§ 1. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are contemplated to meet the wishes of Russia that treaties embodying the. Allies' war aims should be reviewed and, if necessary, revised; whether a conference or inter change of notes is contemplated; and whether any early action in this matter is intended?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord Robert Cecil)His Majesty's Government, who have already informed the Russian Government of their willingness to enter into a discussion of the possible revision of Allied War aims, are in consultation with the Allied Powers as to the form in which this discussion can most conveniently take place.
§ 2. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, in a letter dated 21st July, 1916, Lord Hardinge wrote to Sir George Buchanan, British Ambassador at Petrograd, that our Balkan Allies were disappointed with the Allied offensive from Salonika; whether this statement was made by Lord Hardinge on the evidence of official notes or of private information received by him; and whether he will in struct the officials of the Foreign Office to avoid writing such letters?
§ Lord R. CECILI do not propose to say more about this correspondence— which, as the hon. Member knows, is of a private character—than what has been already stated in answers to questions.
§ Mr. KINGIs absolutely nothing being done to prevent people in the Foreign Office making further mistakes of this kind?
§ Lord R. CECILI should regard it as a grave public inconvenience and disadvantage if officials at the Foreign Office were prevented from writing private letters to our representatives abroad.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there are provisions under the Defence of the Realm Act against giving information to the 2085 enemy, and this letter was published, as the right hon. Gentleman has stated, by the Germans for the purpose of creating mischief?