§ 40. Lieut.-Colonel Sir S. HOAREasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been called to the atrocities committed and the political intimidation inflicted upon the non-Roumanian population of Eastern Hungary, Transylvania, and Bessarabia; and, if so, what steps His Majesty's Government have taken to impress upon the Roumanian Government the urgent need for the immediate 217 withdrawal of all troops to the demarcation line of the Austrian treaty, the protection of minorities in accordance with the articles of the treaty, and the discontinuance of all political and other pressure upon the population pending the ratification of Peace.
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe attention of His Majesty's Government has been called to the accusations brought against the Roumanian Military Forces in occupation of Eastern Hungary and Transylvania; but no accusations have been brought to their notice in regard to Bessarabia where the population is mainly Roumanian. The Roumanian Prime Minister has issued urgent instructions for the immediate withdrawal of Roumanian troops to the line to be laid down as the frontier under the terms of peace with Hungary. In Transylvania the non-Roumanian populations will be protected by the Minorities Clauses of the Treaties of Peace. The Conference of Ambassadors at Paris has not yet decided on the future government of Bessarabia.
§ Sir S. HOAREWill the right hon. Gentleman publish the report of the International Committee of the Red Cross dealing with this matter?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will perhaps consider that.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODIs the Supreme Council doing anything at the present time to protect the minorities in Transylvania? Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the statement made by three bishops from Transylvania as to the spoliation and robbery which are going on there at the present time?
§ The PRIME MINISTERAs a matter of fact I have had a long discussion on this very topic with the Roumanian Prime Minister and he assures me that everything in his power will be done to protect the religious minorities there, and he seemed to me to be very sincere and resolute on the point.
§ Sir S. HOAREAs the protection of these minorities is an international question, will he send an international committee to inquire into the whole situation and see that the Prime Minister of Roumania's undertakings are carried out, as we all hope they will be carried out?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not sure that that is very desirable, at any rate at the present stage. I must say I have very great confidence in the new Prime Minister, and I feel confident that he means to protect the minorities, and unless there is some evidence to the contrary, I do not think it would be desirable to send a Committee of this kind. If anything occurs later on, we will reconsider the position.
§ Colonel WEDGWOODWhat better evidence could you have than that of these bishops?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI do not wish to reflect upon any previous Government of Roumania or anywhere else, but there has been a change recently in the Government.