§ 8. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Count de Salis, envoy at Rome, was sent to Montenegro to inquire into the conditions of that country and to ascertain the desires of the people regarding their annexation by Serbia; whether Count de Salis has now returned and has placed his Report before the Foreign Office; and when the Report will be laid before the House?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODIt has already been explained fully, in reply to the question raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Canterbury on the Motion for the Adjournment on 11th November, why Count de Salis's Report cannot be laid. I have nothing further to add to this statement.
§ Commander Viscount CURZONIs it a fact that Gabriele d'Annunzio is preparing an attack on Montenegro?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODI cannot answer that question.
§ Mr. MACLEANIs it the purpose of the Foreign Office to permit a nation which was one of our Allies to be annexed by another of our Allies, contrary to the wishes of the people of that nation?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis question only refers to the Report of Count de Salis.
§ Mr. MACLEANIt also refers to the desires of the people regarding annexation by Serbia.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is what Count de Salis was sent to ascertain.
§ 36. Mr. MACQUISTENasked why Montenegro, who declared war unreservedly on the Austrian and German Empires, is now allowed to be in the military possession of Serbia for whom she fought, and whose Army she protected in its retreat; why she was not given a seat at the Peace Conference and did not sign the Peace Treaty; who finances the Greater Serbia propaganda, which is directed to the annexation of Montenegro; when the Report of the Count de Salis, Britain's envoy, reached the Foreign Office; and when it will be laid upon the Table of this House?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODHis Majesty's Government are not responsible for the continued occupation of Montenegrin territory by Serbian troops. Montenegro has not been a signatory to any of the Peace Treaties so far concluded at Paris, which did not directly concern the Montenegrin people. The Supreme Council had decided in principle last January that Montenegro should be represented at the Peace Conference, but the decision was left open as to how her representatives should be chosen. I have no information as to who finances propaganda in favour of the annexation of Montenegro to Serbia. Count de Salis's Report reached the Foreign Office on the 4th September, and it has more than once been explained that the document is of a confidential nature, and is not suitable for publication.