§ 5. Mr. NOEL BUXTONasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether British naval ships recently sent to the port of Smyrna have with one exception been withdrawn; whether the French and Italian Governments were previously consulted or informed in regard to the withdrawal; and what reasons induced His Majesty's Government to take this action?
§ Mr. McNEILLHis Majesty's Government have replaced the "Calypso" by 461 the "Carysfort" and have withdrawn the "Curacao," which entered Smyrna on 8th February in accordance with the Allied policy of vindicating their right to free entry, together with the vessels supporting her outside the port. His Majesty's High Commissioner kept his Allied colleagues fully informed of the communication he was making to the Constantinople representative of the Angora Government on this subject. Once it became clear that the Turkish Government had accepted the principle of the presence of Allied ships at Smyrna, there was no longer any reason for retaining the additional vessels.