§ 1. Mr. Hannahasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has any statement to make about the killing of American missionaries in the Sudan by Italians?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Butler)Yes, Sir. I deeply regret to state that, according to reports telegraphed by the Governor-General of the Sudan, two Italian aircraft attacked the Sudan Interior Mission Station at Doro in the Upper Nile Province, 55 miles south-west of Kurmuk, at 10.30 a.m. on 23rd August. At least 30 bombs were dropped, and machine-guns were also used. Of the mission staff of five, Dr. and Mrs. Robert Grieve were killed and the Reverend and Mrs. Kenneth Oglesby wounded. All four victims were United States citizens, Miss Walsh, an Australian, escaping unhurt. In addition, a native girl and two boys were wounded. Dr. and Mrs. Grieve are reported to have fallen waving an American flag. The mission station at Doro is isolated far from any kind of military objective, but its location and nature were well known to the Italians, whose attack was clearly deliberate. This is shown by the fact that the Italian Commander at Kurmuk had sent a message earlier in August to the missionaries at Doro and Chali, another 142 station 35 miles south-south-west of Kurmuk, to report to him with passports. The reply to this message was under consideration by the missionaries when they were shot down in cold blood.
§ Mr. HannahHas this been brought to the attention of the American Government?
§ Mr. ButlerThe American Government, I have no doubt, have observed this dastardly attack, and, no doubt, the publicity afforded by the hon. Member's Question will bring it further to the attention of the Americans.
§ Mr. HannahIt is about time.