§ 28. Captain BAGLEYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any Soviet or Bolshevik Governments have enforced Conscription; if so, what treat- 2086 ment is accorded to conscientious objectors; and whether it is the declared policy of foreign Bolsheviks to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, even to the extent, if and when possible, of armed intervention?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIn reply to the first part of the hon. and gallant Member's question, one of the fundamental laws of the Russian Soviet Government, as adopted by the 5th All Russian Convention of Soviets on 10th July, 1018, is that it establishes universal obligatory military service. I am unable to say how far this has been enforced, but the numerous peasant risings against Conscription which have been reported, and the treatment of officers whose wives and families are held as hostages to ensure their continuing in Bolshevik service, make it appear that no special regard is paid to conscientious objections. It is not understood to what class of' persons or Government allusion is made in the third part of the question.