Sir J. D. REESThe House is conspicuously and proverbially kind and generous to the supporters of unpopular causes. It is for this reason that I hope I may be allowed just now to make a very brief personal explanation. On Monday, the hon. Member for the Scotland Division of Liverpool (Mr. T. P. O'Connor) asked the Leader of the House for time for the discussion of alleged Turkish atrocities. It is well known to the House that at the present moment new terms of peace between Turkey and Greece are under consideration, and that the situation is critical in character. From the point of view of the enemies of Turkey, a report just now of a massacre alleged to have been committed by the Turks would necessarily be timely, in the sense that such massacre would be committed at a time most prejudicial to the interests of the perpetrators. I do not, myself, know—I am wholly unacquainted with any other meaning that can be attached to the word "timely,"— but, when I learned that the House took exception to the word, I immediately did what I always should do—I surrendered my own judgment in a moment, and withdrew me word. Indeed, I seized the end of a rope kindly thrown to me by a friend on the Front Bench, and was very nearly overwhelmed in the flood myself. I did not understand what was going forward. So little did I realise the interpretation which apparently could be put upon a word the meaning of which was obvious to myself, until yesterday, reading the OFFICIAL REPORT, I gathered that the 2253 House was under the impression that I had said something in mitigation of massacre. It is for the purpose of saying in the most unequivocal and emphatic manner that I and my friends regard massacres as detestable and odious, and equally odious and detestable whether committed by Turk, Greek or Armenian, that I take this opportunity of making this brief explanation.