HC Deb 05 June 1919 vol 116 cc2181-2
9. Lieut.-Col. Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCK

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that an anti-Jewish pogrom took place on 20th May at Poryck, Volhynia, in which eighteen Jews were massacred by Polish legionaries; that on 27th May a pogrom took place at Czens- tochau in which nine Jews were killed and several wounded; that anti-Jewish outrages have also occurred during the last week at Sosnowice, Bendzin, Chrzanow, and Trzebinia; and that the troops of General Haller are reported to have been the principal perpetrators of the latest outrages; and whether the British Government is taking any steps, besides making representations to the Polish Government, in order to put an immediate stop to these atrocities?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I fear there is no doubt that anti-Semitic disturbances have recently occurred in Poland and in the territories under Polish occupation, and that Polish troops have taken part in them. No official reports have so far been received concerning the alleged incidents at the places mentioned in the second part of the question, but a report has been received that a disturbance has occurred at Czenstochau, in which some soldiers from General Haller's Army joined the mob in attacking Jews. There were forty-five Jewish casualties, including five deaths, and one officer and ten gendarmes were injured in attempting to keep order. As regards the last part of the Noble Lord's question, apart from the representations which they have addressed to the Polish Government, His Majesty's Government can only act in concert with the Allied and Associated Governments.