26. Mr. DOYLEasked the Prime Minister what efforts are being made by the Supreme Council to bring to an end the state of active war between the Greeks and the Turks; if the Allies have taken effective precautions against an attempt to force the Dardanelles and capture Constantinople; and to what extent this country is financially committed to either side in carrying on a struggle fraught with such grave possibilities to the peace of Europe?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe present hostilities arose in spite of the recent efforts of the Supreme Council to reconcile Greece and Turkey. Further intervention at the present stage could therefore hardly serve any useful purpose. As regards the second part of the question, Constantinople is in the military occupation of the Allies, who have agreed to maintain an attitude of strict neutrality. The answer to the last part of the quesion is that this country is in no way financially committed to either side.
Sir J. D. REESIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that if the Greeks should beat the Turks in any way no one in India will believe that they have done it without help, or will believe other than that the British Government were the helpers?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am sorry to say that we cannot help that. We are not in the least helping the Greeks.
§ 50. Mr. A. HERBERTasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been drawn to the sufferings of the Moslem 2058 population under the régime introduced by the Greeks in the territories occupied by them in Asia Minor; and whether, in view of the fact that the present unrest in India is largely attributable to the situation in Smyrna and Thrace, he will cause an impartial inquiry to be made into the conditions prevailing in these districts and publish the results?
§ The PRIME MINISTERVarious allegations and counter-allegations by both parties to the present hostilities have been brought to the attention of His Majesty's Government, and the question of sending officers from Constantinople to certain localities with a view to inquire into some of these charges in now under consideration.
§ 55. Major GLYNasked the Prime Minister what information has been received from Athens and Constantinople to indicate what is the present situation in Asia Minor; whether the Greek Government intend to continue these operations; how far does this campaign modify or alter the decisions of the conferences in London and at Sèvrs; and whether any date has yet been fixed for the renewal of the Conference held in March in London?
§ The PRIME MINISTERNo important developments have been reported since the Greek withdrawal towards Brussa, in the north, and from Afuin Kara Hissar, in the south. His Majesty's Government have no information which would lead them to think that the Greek Government do not intend to continue operations. With regard to the third part of the question, the decisions alluded to have not been modified by this campaign. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREAre British Military Attaches attached to these forces?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI am not quite sure of that.