§ Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Military Convention with Russia for the 940 mutual Conscription for military service of British and Russian subjects is liable to be determined before the end of the present War, or whether it is operative under all circumstances so long as either Great Britain or Russia is at war; what Minister of Russia is entitled now to grant exemptions from military service under this Convention to Russians in Great Britain; and whether there is any Russian Government still existing which is party to this Convention?
§ The MINISTER of BLOCKADE (Lord Robert Cecil)Article 5 of the Convention provides that it shall cease to have force from the date of the conclusion of the present War. With reference to the second part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply returned to him on 30th April last. As regards the last paragraph, I would observe that international agreements do not cease to be valid because the Governments which concluded them are no longer in power.
§ Mr. KINGArising out of the first part of this question, is the Noble Lord not aware that, according to one interpretation, the present War, which existed when the Convention began, ceased when Russia went out, and, for the purpose of the Convention, this is a new war?
§ Lord R. CECILI should have thought, without expressing any opinion on the legal matter, that the present War was still going on.
§ Mr. SNOWDENHas the Noble Lord or the Foreign Office received any protest from the British Agent in Russia against the Conscription of Russian subjects in this country for the British Army, and what reply has he been able to give?
§ Lord R. CECILIt is quite obvious that notice should be given of that question.
§ 49. Mr. ANDERSONasked the Prime Minister whether it is now proposed to recognised the de facto Government of Russia; whether he knows that the present official attitude of this country is endangering the future relations between the two countries and is conferring economic and commercial advantages upon countries with which Great Britain is at war; and what further action the Government intends to take?
§ Lord R. CECILThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the negative. With regard to the third part, His Majesty's Government are most desirous of promoting increased economic and commercial intercourse between Great Britain and Russia, and are doing what they can to further this object.
Mr. CHANCELLORHow long must a de facto Government be in existence before it is recognised by this Government?
§ Lord R. CECILNo rule can be laid down. It depends upon the circumstances of each case.