§ 7. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what progress has been made with the withdrawal of Japanese troops from Eastern Siberia and the Maritime Province, in accordance with the pledges given by the Japanese Government at Washington; if he is aware that negotiations between Japan and the Far Eastern Republic have broken down following on an ultimatum presented by the Japanese Government demanding, among others, the right to keep military missions on the territory of the Far Eastern Republic; whether he has seen the terms of this ultimatum; and whether they can be given to the House?
§ Earl WINTERTONI have no information regarding the plans of the Japanese Government for the withdrawal of their troops from Eastern Siberia. I am aware that negotiations between Japan and the Far Eastern Republic have been broken off, but I have no knowledge of the alleged ultimatum referred to by the hon. and gallant Member. The remainder of the question, therefore, does not arise.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYAre His Majesty's Government completely disinterested in what goes on in Eastern Siberia, and is the Noble Lord aware that we had very important commercial interests there?
§ Earl WINTERTONI have no information regarding the question put by the hon. and gallant Gentleman—no information to the effect that what he suggests has occurred has occurred.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYIs it any use our wasting our time at Genoa trying to make peace with Russia in the West while our Associated Power is doing this in the East?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member is giving his own opinion.
10. Mr. L. MALONEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government has received a communication by radio from the Russian acting Foreign Commissary Karakhan, sent to the British and American Governments on 29th March, supporting the Note by the Foreign Minister of the Far Eastern Republic Yanson on 13th March, protesting against the action of the self-elected Merkulov Government in Vladivostok selling Russian ships and property and stating that the presence of Japanese military forces makes it impossible for the Far Eastern Government to thwart the White Guard looting of Russian national property, and further protesting that the Allied consulates were arming counterrevolutionary bandits under the pretext of maintaining order; whether any reply has yet been sent; and whether, in view of the agreements concluded at Washington and in the interests of humanity and justice, His Majesty's Government propose to take any action?
§ Earl WINTERTONThe answers to the first and second parts of the question are in the negative. His Majesty's Government do not propose, therefore, to take any action.