§ 12. Mr. TREVELYANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any and, if so, what reply has been sent to the appeal to the Prime Minister from Professor Georg von Wendt, the official messenger of the Finnish Senate, to permit food to come to Finland from America in order to prevent immediate famine in Finland?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. Balfour)A reply to the Finnish appeal was sent, on the 17th of November, to the effect that the state of supplies here unfortunately precluded any possibility of Finnish requirements being met from this country; and that, as regards the supplies from America, it was understood that a representative of the Finnish Senate was already discussing the matter with the authorities at Washington.
§ 18. Mr. LYNCHasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government has recognised the Government of the Republic of Finland; and, if not, whether this step will be taken without delay?
§ Mr. BALFOURHis Majesty's Government have not yet felt able to recognise the Republic of Finland as an independent State, but they have instructed His Majesty's Consul-General at Helsingfors to enter into relations with the de facto authorities there for the transaction of business.
§ Mr. LYNCHWould the right hon. Gentleman answer candidly the question—[HON. MEMBERS: "Order!"]—which really lies at the root of the whole matter—is the Foreign Office infected by the policy of wishing to restore the corrupt monarchy of the Czar?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member ought to put a question of that sort on the Paper for me to see.