§ Captain GEE(by Private Notice) asked the Secretary of State for War whether the report that 12 British soldiers captured by the Kemalists near the Dardanelles have been massacred is true, and, if so, what action does he propose to take?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Sir Laming Worthington-Evans)My information is that the report is exaggerated. The actual casualties were two men killed and one man missing. The incident occurred south of Chanak, when the usual area patrols encountered a band of brigands some 150 strong, whose hostility appears to have been mainly directed against the Greeks and not against the British. The situation is now quiet.
§ Viscount CURZONIs there any truth in the report in the evening papers that 12 British soldiers have lost their lives in this area?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSThat is the report, I imagine, which forms the basis of the question, and my answer is that I am informed two have been killed and one is missing.
Mr. MALONEIs it correct to call them Kemalists? Is it not prejudicial to the negotiations that are going on?
§ Sir L. WORTHINGTON-EVANSI call them brigands.