§ 80. Captain ARCHIBALD RAMSAYasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that over 80 persons have been executed without any trial in Moscow and Petrograd during the last two weeks; and will he make immediate representations to the League of Nations, with a view to organising a combined protest against this infringement of Article IX of the League of Nations Covenant?
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Mr. Eden)According to my information it does not appear that these persons were executed without trial. The terms of the Covenant provide the League of Nations with no locus standi for intervention with the Soviet Government in such a matter.
§ Captain RAMSAYWhile accepting the statement of the right hon. Gentleman that there is some form of trial, is it not a fact that, pending further machinery being at the disposal of the League, it is the essential duty of the League to protest if any signatory of the Covenant fails to carry out in the letter and the spirit the ordinary course of Justice such as civilised nations understand; are we to understand that the right hon. Gentleman is satisfied that the spirit and the letter of the Covenant have been fulfilled and if not, does he still propose to do nothing about the matter?
§ Mr. EDENArticle IX which the hon. and gallant Member quotes has nothing whatever to do with the matter. So far as I am aware, the League has no locus standi in the matter.
§ Captain RAMSAYIs the right hon. Gentleman Satisfied that there is no infringement?