HC Deb 20 June 1918 vol 107 cc482-3
4. Mr. OUTHWAITE

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Japanese intervention in Siberia has been sought by any persons in Russia who can claim to represent the public sentiment of that country?

Mr. BALFOUR

Intervention by the Allies (including, of course, Japan) has been sought by many persons in Russia. All of them, I believe, claim that, in varying measures, they represent the public sentiments of that country. It is, I presume, unnecessary to add that those who recommend the opposite course make the same claim.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Can the right hon. Gentleman give us any information as to who are the persons who desire Japanese intervention in Russia, particularly as it is believed that they are those who are called pro-German?

Mr. BALFOUR

No; that is not my information.

Mr. LEES-SMITH

In view of the agitation in a certain part of the Press, will the right hon. Gentleman give the House an assurance that the British Government will not be a party to any armed intervention?

Mr. BALFOUR

Certainly not.

Mr. OUTHWAITE

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that this country will stand by the policy of the President of the United States in preventing Japanese intervention?

Mr. SPEAKER

We are getting a very long way from the question on the Paper.

Colonel WEDGWOOD

Shall we have an opportunity of hearing the Prime Minister on this subject on Monday?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is even further still.

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