HC Deb 25 February 1919 vol 112 cc1550-1
6 and 7. Major NEWMAN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) whether he is aware that in Southern Dobrudja all Bulgar school teachers and priests are being turned out by the Roumanian authorities, and Bulgar libraries and books burnt; and will he state the form of local autonomy, if any, which the population is to be allowed to enjoy by its conquerors;(2) whether he will say to what nationality and to what religious faith the mass of the inhabitants of Southern Dobrudja belong; is he aware that the town of Kavarna consists of 4,000 inhabitants, of whom the Bulgars number 2,500, Turks 1,350, Greeks 150, and no Roumanians; and will he say why Southern Dobrudja has been handed over to Roumania without the knowledge or consent of the Peace Conference, and against the wish of its population?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

The district referred to by the hon. and gallant Member is in the occupation of British troops, and I cannot accept as correct his description of the situation prevailing there. The Peace Conference is now concerned with the settlement of the problems of South-Eastern Europe, and I therefore regret that I am unable to make any further statement on this subject at present.

Major NEWMAN

Will the Foreign Office ask for a special report to be made at once on what has actually happened?

Mr. KILEY

Can the hon. Gentleman tell us at the same time what British troops are doing in this part of the world?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I cannot make any further statement in regard to the latter question, but I will consider the point raised by my hon. and gallant Friend.

An HON. MEMBER

Is he aware that there are large numbers of Roumanians at present in the Southern Dobrudja who were there before the War?

Captain Earl WINTERTON

Will the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that in the recent War Roumania was our Ally and Bulgaria was our enemy?