§ 4. Sir William Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any information as to the action of the Rumanian Government in sending many Polish refugees in Rumania to be interned in German concentration camps at the request of Germany; whether any representations were made to the Rumanian Government in the matter prior to the severence of diplomatic relations; and what explanation was given?
§ Mr. ButlerOn 31st January the competent Rumanian authorities informed 494 the Chilean Legation, who are in charge of Polish interests in Rumania, that all interned Polish soldiers would be sent to Germany immediately. A protest was lodged by the Chilean Chargé d' Affaires at this violation of international law, and His Majesty's Minister at Bucharest vigorously supported this protest. The only explanation given by the Rumanian Government was that they regarded this question as a purely internal matter which they were not prepared to discuss. Sir Reginald Hoare immediately expressed the strongest disapproval of this attitude. Subsequently on instructions from His Majesty's Government he formally notified the Rumanian Government that, if so base an act as the return of soldiers were committed, His Majesty's Government would not forget that General Antonescu and the members of his Government bore personal responsibility for it. When His Majesty's Legation left Bucharest on 15th February, it was understood that the Rumanian Government had at least temporarily delayed their proposed action, but there is some reason to suppose that it may now have taken place. The Rumanian Government also announced on 8th February that civilian Poles in Rumania would have to leave the country and state whether they wished to go to Germany.
§ Sir W. DavisonDoes my right hon. Friend realise that the statement he has just made, that a vigorous protest was made, will be received with warm satisfaction in this country?