HC Deb 21 July 1919 vol 118 cc887-9
49. Lord ROBERT CECIL

asked the Prime Minister whether any of those guilty of outrages on Jews in Poland have been brought to trial, and, if so, with what result?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

According to a report received from His Majesty's Minister at Warsaw, the special tribunal at Rzeszow sentenced one man to death for killing a Jew. The sentence was duly carried out. Seven other persons who took part in the excesses committed in the neighbourhood of Kolbuszowa have been condemned to periods of between six and fifteen years imprisonment.

66. Lieutenant-Colonel Lord HENRY CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has received a report of the anti-Jewish pogrom, that occurred on 3rd June at Cholm, in which eight Jews are reported to have been killed and thirty wounded, in the course of which the Polish soldiers raided the Jewish women's baths and beat the women with their rifle-butts, and also on the further excesses on 13th June in the same town, in which two Jews are reported to have been killed and several wounded; and whether the Government will instruct the British Minister in Warsaw to make representations to the Polish Government with a view to preventing the continuance of these outrages?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

The answer to the first part of the question asked by the Noble Lord is that His Majesty's Government have received no official information of the anti-Jewish pogroms said to have been committed at Cholm on 3rd and 13th June.

As regards the second part of the question, a telegram has been dispatched to His Majesty's Minister at Warsaw, requesting him to make thorough inquiries and to report what steps the Polish Government are taking in the case if the reports of these anti-Jewish excesses prove to be true.

Mr. RAPER

Will the hon. Gentleman consider publishing a Report based on the various reports collected by the British representatives?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Yes, Sir; I will consider that.

Captain ORMSBY-GORE

Will the hon. Gentleman get a copy of the Report that has been signed by Mr. Morgenthau, on behalf of the American Government, on this particular point?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

Yes, Sir; I will endeavour to get a copy.