HC Deb 25 June 1917 vol 95 cc31-3
8. Mr. LYNCH

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the terms of the Treaty of 1863, concerning the government of Greece having been violated repeatedly by ex-King Constantine, it is beyond the powers of the Allies to draw up a new Treaty, having regard to the circumstances of the hour being not less important than those of 1863; and whether it is beyond their powers to exclude from the succession, even temporarily, any close relative of the German Kaiser?

The SECRETARY Of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Balfour)

Our object is to establish unity and freedom in Greece under a form of government which will make unity and freedom permanent. There are evidently many difficulties to be surmounted before these ends are attained, but they will only be aggravated by endeavouring to deal with the problem piecemeal in answer to such inquiries as those contained in the hon. Gentleman's question.

Mr. LYNCH

Is it through ineluctable necessity, or in freedom of choice, that the Allies have arrived at this feat of super-statesmanship?

Mr. BALFOUR

Sir, questions of free will and necessity have perplexed mankind for centuries.

9. Mr. LYNCH

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether there is anything in the present arrangement concerning the throne of Greece that precludes the possibility of ex-King Constantine returning to the throne after the War?

Mr. BALFOUR

I would prefer to await the official text of the documents actually exchanged before committing myself to any public statement as to the interpretation to be given to them.

Mr. LYNCH

Meanwhile, may I ask is there still room for hope that Constantine may return?

Mr. BILLING

Is it a fact that the British Government are paying this monarch a pension, or have undertaken so to do?

Mr. SPEAKER

That does not arise out of this answer.

Mr. PRINGLE

Oh, yes, it does!

Mr. SPEAKER

I think not.

10. Mr. R. McNEILL

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has yet received the text of the Note presented by M. Jonnart to the Greek Government demanding the abdication of King Constantine; if so, will he say whether the demands of the High Commissioner were complied with in full by the ex-King and his Government; whether the ex-King was requested or empowered to nominate his successor to the Throne; and whether the ex-King and Crown Prince have formally renounced all their rights to the crown and the succession, respectively?

Mr. BALFOUR

The answer to the first part of the question is in the negative; the rest of the question does not, therefore, at present arise.

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